John Mitchell wrote:

> <<The beekeepers of Arizona decided to dump the entire inspection system
> about ten
> years ago, supposedly to avoid possible gov't. controls.>>
>
>    I'd like to hear from some Arizona beekeepers why they thought this was a
> good idea.

John M., in general, I agree with your post.     IMHO, and not speaking for the
gov't., my impression was that a goup of Arizona beekeepers felt that ANY
research done by the state or USDA on AHB would ultimately reflect badly on the
public's view of bees, and would lead to more restrictions and quarantines on
their industry. Remember, this was soon after the debacle in Texas, where
beeyards were "depopulated" because of the dreaded Acarine mite.    So, .... they
felt that by removing the arms of gov't. which could turn against or restrict
them, they could buy enough time to work out the problems themselves. As a
partial result, we have had loads of highly africanized bees moved about at will,
and most of the hobbyist beekeepers in Tucson have given up. These are my
opinions.
        I, too, would like to hear from some Arizona beekeepers who can discuss
this calmly.
     -  John Edwards, Tucson