The Government is giving "little priority" to the health of the nation's bees despite their importance to the agricultural economy, MPs have warned.

Honeybee colonies are disappearing at an "alarming" rate and ministers have until recently taken little interest in the problem, it is claimed.

The cross-party Public Accounts Committee wants Defra to ring-fence research spending on bee health and not allow it to be diluted by looking at other pollinating insects.

It is also calling on the department to take steps to ensure more beekeepers are registered with it, thereby subjecting themselves to inspection. At present registration is voluntary.

Bees are estimated to be worth £200 million to the economy as they play a vital part in pollinating many of the crops grown in the UK.

But in recent years they have been hit by agricultural changes which have reduced the availability of the wildflowers that are so important in providing food for the insects.

Diseases such as the varroa mite have infected hives, killing the bees, while climate change and pesticide use have also been suggested as possible factors in the insects' decline.

The number of honeybees has fallen by 10%-15% in the past two years, according to the Government, but a survey of British Beekeepers' Association members suggests losses could have been as high as 30% between November 2007 and March 2008.

Edward Leigh, Tory chairman on the committee, said: "Honeybees are dying and colonies are being lost at an alarming rate.

"This is very worrying and not just because the pollination of crops by honeybees is worth an estimated £200 million each year to the British economy. So it is difficult to understand why Defra has taken so little interest in the problem up to now."