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Thursday 28 October 2010

Unit 1: Where have all the bees gone?

The vanashing of the bees (click) is a documentary film that ties in both economics and agriculture is out now in the UK, and on DVD.
The film explores the nature of a problem known as ‘colony collapse disorder’ (CCD). It has the potential to devastate agricultural production not just in the UK but in many countries around the world, as bees are essential to the pollination of many food crops.

I have posted it on the blog because there’s actually a lot of economics involved- just think about what would happen if there were significant reductions in the supply of many major crops. We’ve already had riots in several developing countries over rises in just a few key foods over the last few years. As students are required to know about agricultural markets and can be given such case studies in exams.

Below is a typical exam question, adapted from an old paper. I would STRONGLY advise you attempt it for homework and hand it in before parents evening next week.

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