Hi all
This article by Sheila Colla presents a different point of view - with which I do not necessarily agree, but feel compelled to give equal time. Excerpts for review purposes only:

> Policy and conservation initiatives often focus on the Western Honeybee, Apis mellifera Linnaeus, a domesticated species not native to North America. Although losses of managed honeybee colonies are recorded annually, we argue that honeybee losses are not a conservation problem, but instead a domesticated animal management issue. By focusing attention on honeybees, policies and subsequent resources may undermine native bee conservation and have negative impacts ecologically and socially.

> While the honeybee industry experiences various stressors, including parasite outbreaks, exposure to insecticides, and declining nutrition (Ratniek & Carreck 2010), honeybees are not at risk of extinction based on globally accepted IUCN Red List criteria, and continue to be imported into North America in large numbers (e.g. Pernal & Ritter 2014).

> While honeybees have received significant positive press and public support there are important yet often ignored, reasons why increasing their numbers outside of intensive agricultural systems should be avoided. Honeybees have large colonies and have become invasive in many regions outside of their Old World origin (Cane, 2003; Moritz et al. 2005; Aizen & Harder, 2009).

> The act of beekeeping under the auspice that one is ‘saving the bees’ is akin to domesticating nature, whereby natural processes are lost in exchange for human welfare (Kareiva et al. 2007). Redirecting public attention and policy away from domesticated honeybee management to evidence-based conservation management is critical for pollinator biodiversity, which will benefit native plant communities and increase the resilience of our agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Colla, S. R., & MacIvor, J. S. (2016). Questioning public perception, conservation policy, and recovery actions for honeybees in North America. Conservation Biology.

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