PlayThe Government is investing up to £10 million on researching the decline of bees.
Over the last two years, 15 per cent of honeybees have died out, while the numbers of other pollinators - like butterflies and moths - have also declined.
The initiative to make funding available to researchers also involves the Biotechnology and Biological Science Research Council (BBSRC), the Natural Environment Research Council (Nerc), the Wellcome Trust and the Scottish Government.
BBSRC chief executive Professor Douglas Kell said investigating declines in bee numbers formed a "significant part" of work to ensure food security for the UK.
"Without effective pollination we will face higher food costs and potential shortages.
"This programme will help us understand why numbers have decreased and the steps we could take to reverse this."
The announcement follows the decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to commit an extra £2 million to research into bee health, which will make up part of the £10 million pot.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "Aristotle identified bees as the most hard working of insects, and with one in three mouthfuls coming from insect-pollinated crops, we need to support bees and other pollinators.
"This funding will give some of Britain's world-class researchers the chance to identify the causes of the decline we're seeing in bee numbers, and that will help us take the right action to help."
The announcement was welcomed by the British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA), which has been campaigning for more funding for research into the problems facing bees.
The organisation's president Tim Lovett said: "It is vital that these funds are committed to the work that can make a real difference and meet the challenges facing honey bees."
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