On 28-Jan-13, at 8:53 PM, randy oliver wrote:

>
> Re the dust issues in the U.S., the Bayer scientists that I speak with
> completely accept responsibility when residues are present in the  
> bees.
>  Unfortunately, the Bayer brass has not followed up with my strong
> suggestion to remunerate beekeepers.  I have never heard Bayer blame
> planting dust issues on varroa.  It's pretty easy to see the dead  
> bees in
> front of hives--varroa doesn't cause that.  Bayer may well blame  
> elevated
> colony losses during winter on varroa, but so do I.
>
Hi Randy and all

The Ontario Beekeepers Association held a meeting in Guelph last year  
where the PMRA presented preliminary results of their work on the  
corn dust issue although the main point of their presentation was  
'how to report a suspected bee kill'.  Several EPA reps(US equivalent  
of PMRA) were in attendance and one spoke about the lack of similar  
reports in the US although he knew the problem existed there too.   
Three affected beekeepers made presentations with photos.  A Bayer  
rep spoke and, although he probably felt like a christian in a lion's  
den, did mention varroa, nosema and beekeeper applied mitecides.

Bob Darrell
Caledon Ontario
Canada
44N80W

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