josepp: "But it looks like Britain has raised a lot more awareness of the problem than the US. It looks like many people in Britain are giving beekeeping a try whereas it doesn't seem as enthusiastic in America."

Hmmm...I wonder how one could find current figures to compare? It has been my experience that beekeeping is increasingly popular in the US; so much so that classes are widely available from state Cooperative Extension programs to Continuing Education to beekeepers offering workshops to customers in town and rural areas. Even a preliminary consultation with Mister Google brings many opportunities to light. Has your experience in the US been different?