> It is unfortunate that this bee has now become a cult with some beekeepers; it does not breed true and can cause huge temper problems when crossed with other local bees.  Anyone keeping Buckfast bees is doing a huge disservice to other local beekeepers.

> Now those of us wanting to breed native bees have an incredibly difficult task because of the introduction of so many different races.  Of course it is not all down to Brother Adam, but his work has not helped.  

The Buckfast bee is bred and distributed by the bee lab at Guelph Ontario, where it is in favor. The idea of races is obsolete in beekeeping just as it's obsolete in human sociology. The honey bee is highly adaptable so the whole notion of locally adapted is a mirage. What is important is a healthy bee that adapts readily to varying conditions. 

PLB

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html