From: Andy Nachbaur <[log in to unmask]>
        >From: [log in to unmask] (Bernd Blossey)
 
        I am not a scientist, or
        do I have a doctorate. It is also true that I am a beekeeper and
        beekeepers will be damaged because wildflower pasture bees depend on
 
Andy,  (sorry, I couldnt' keep shut on this!)
 
I'm sure you are right that reduction of the loosestrife population will
hurt honey collection.
 
        Some would say that your position is also one of the "special interest",
        or the elite groups, considering that this EA relies disproportionately
        on your own research and opinion seeing that 6 of the 17 references
        listed to support the EA have your name on them. I would venture a guess
        that you are in no small part dependent on public monies to do your
        research and must convince others that your research has great value in
        order to generate support including special interest groups.
 
This really bristles me backwards.  Don't beekeepers also receive the
benefits of some research done with public money?  You have the bias
backwards - people become scientists because they find these matters
(ecology, etc.) important - not for the money.  I bet you didn't become
a beekeeper just for the money either.  Nobody is getting rich on
ecological research grants, trust me!
Further, I and the fairly large number of people who care about
America's indigenous ecology really, really resent being called
a special interest group.  Maybe I am in a minority.  But I resent
it anyway.   A LOT.
 
        destruction of non target native wildflowers is not a positive benefit
        to anyone but those with special interests.
It's not a benefit to anyone at ALL.  It's a tradeoff.  The loss of
honeybee pasture is a tradeoff too.  I am sorry as I know beekeepers
do not need any more problems than they have now.
 
        The total lack of financial responsibility by those who would release
        these plant pests if their opinions and research were wrong and
        the new plant pests were to become destructive on other wildflowers or
        crops is not a positive benefit but a real risk.
 
Well..... one could equally argue that you as a
beekeeper care only for your own monetary interest and care nothing
for the USA's disappearing wild land.  I hope this is not so.
 
         some beneficial effects that an exotic plant may have for
         >bees does not outweigh the overall negative environmental effects.
 
I agree.
 
        My personal opinion is that the value of the lost pasture for bees
        and other insects will grater then the benefits of the release of these
        plant insects
 
[rest deleted]
 
I hold out for the insect release.
 
 
Liz Day
[log in to unmask]
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA