Greets All Interesting reading all the opinions on world trade. Understandably there is a lot of hard feeling here on all sides as it is human nature to feel that one is being done under - that's why humans are competitive. In the US it may appear tough, with on interest rate of 5.something, increasing expenses etc. But feel happy that one has reasonably low crime, cheap untaxed fuel, cheap vehicles and a reasonably accessible bee research fraternity should it be needed. Feel sorry for the beekeeper in Zimbabwe who has to deal with a 60% devaluation in currency over the last five weeks, 50% interest rates, vehicles that have to be bought in US$ or SA Rands etc. BUT - feel jealous for the Zim beekeeper who can sit under a tree in shorts/miniskirt depending on gender on any month of the year and who can still experience such novel bee losses as having an elephant sit on a hive!! Feel envious of the Chinese beekeeper who has a government subsidy. Feel sorry for the Chinese beekeeper who is having her/his economy undermined by the first world and who has no global media network strong enough to tell her/his story. And so on. My take home message is that if at present beekeeping appears unprofitable - it must be fine tuned. It's similar to a beehive - adapt or swarm. In temperate climates the bees tended to adapt - in the warm areas they swarm. Same for beekeepers?? Keep well Garth Garth Cambray Camdini Apiaries 15 Park Road Grahamstown Apis mellifera capensis 6139 South Africa Time = Honey The Universe is not here right now, if you would like to leave a message, leave your name and number after the long silence and it will get back to you as soon as possible.