>
> >there are important yet often ignored reasons why increasing their
> numbers outside intensive agricultural systems should be avoided.


Amen!  And it's even more complex than that.  The 2 million colonies
required for almond pollination need someplace to go to find forage for the
other 11 months of the year.  Keep in mind that there are only 3 million
square miles in the entire continental U.S.  During the summer, those 2
million hives are often overstocked on the best bee forage land in the
country.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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