An executive representing four agricultural sector self-insuredworkers' comp groups called on California state officials to stopthe continuing bee die-off that he said threatens $6 billion worthof crops in the state.

Joe Wheeler, vice president of Ontario, Calif.-based SelfInsured Solutions' complained that “nobody is working on asolution” to save the bee-pollinated crop in 2007. Commercial beecolonies “are dying off at a rate of up to 60 percent inCalifornia,” he said.

If the bee deaths continue, “widespread food shortages are sureto follow. That is why our agricultural self-insured groups arecalling on Governor Schwarzenegger and the California Assembly tofund immediate, crisis-level research,” he said.

Self Insured Solutions, manages four agricultural self-insuredworkers' comp groups in California and represents 228 companiesacross the state

Ned Barnett, a spokesperson for Self Insured Solutions said as aresult of the bee problem, “Some of the companies are feeling thepain already. Others are looking down the road and understandingthe impact of the loss–that it's going to affect revenues.”

The firm is speaking out, he said, because besides providingcompanies with workers' compensation insurance, “we're concernedabout their overall business.”

Self Insured Solutions wants the state to act because the onlything Congress has done so far is hold a hearing, said Mr.Barnett.