The annual number of hives reported to the FAO in western European countries (the former 15 EU member states, black circles) and the former Warsaw Pact countries in Europe (including the former USSR, open circles). The dramatic decline in Europe coincides with the political system changes in the in eastern Europe, whereas the introduction of Varroa destructor had no perceptible impact on the number of hives reported (data from FAOSTAT, 2009).