U. S. President Barack Obama has created a Pollinator Health Task Force to help protect honey bees, which contribute substantially to the country's economy by helping plant life flourish.

Honey bees play a vital role in pollinating various fruits, nuts, and vegetables and the process contributes nearly $15 billion annually to the U. S. economy. But increasing use of pesticides has led to a decline of nearly 23 per cent in bee populations last winter.

The problem has become so serious that the Obama administration announced that it needed immediate action to ensure the sustainability of food production systems, avoid adverse impact on the agricultural sector of the economy, and protect the environment.

President Obama issued an order to setup a team of representatives from as many as 15 departments in order to study the decline and how to improve the bees' habitat, as well as how to educate people on protecting bees.

A memo circulated by the Obama administration states, "The problem is serious and requires immediate attention to ensure the sustainability of our food production systems, avoid additional economic impact on the agricultural sector, and protect the health of the environment."

The Pollinator Health Task Force, which includes representatives from nearly fifteen departments, will study the fall in bee populations, the ways to improve their habitat, and how to educate people about protecting honey bees.