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The article discusses chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer's efforts to research a large-scale die-off the honey bee populations of North America and Western Europe, highlighting the company's opposition to a European Union ban of Bayer's neonicotinoid pesticides based on research linking the pesticide to the die-off as of December 11, 2013. Topics addressed include Bayer's efforts to link varroa mites to the death of bees, as well as its establishment of Bee Care Centers for research.

Discusses the opposition from Europe's sugar producers to the plan of the European Commission to overhaul the EU's protected sugar market. Claims from the Committee of European Sugar Manufacturers that the legislation may lead to a decrease in sugar prices in the union; Criticism of subsidized exports and environmental problems caused by growing sugar beets; Statements from Oxfam International and the World Wildlife Fund that the reform proposals will not reduce poverty or achieve higher environmental standards.