I'd like to suggest a possible source for the problems honey producers in
the US are having with government policies which bear on pricing, subsidy,
research, and rigorous policing of imports.

Although I have the impression that commercial producers (we keep only 20
hives, more or less, and retail almost all of it locally or to mail order
customers) pretty much pay expenses with pollination and that the honey
crop represents profit.  (I expect to be educated on that point!)

I also get the impression that honey is treated as a commodity: policy
governing its production is guided by this treatment even though
pollination and honey production are inextricably linked.

It seems to me that an argument could be made to the government that if it
doesn't protect the profit end of the business, one of two things is going
to happen: a) either more and more large scale commercial keepers will
leave the business, taking with them the major managed pollinators on
which, post varroa, there is more dependence; or 2) the cost of
pollination services, and therefore agricultural production, will have to
go up.

In other words, if emphasis is placed on the pollination service which is
shown to depend heavily for cost containment on the protection of domestic
honey production, perhaps some progress can be made toward stabilizing the
industry at levels which allow fair return for some very hard working
folks.  It seems to me, such an approach might help minimize the authority
that the packers seem now to have.



---------------
Richard Yarnell, SHAMBLES WORKSHOPS | No gimmick we try, no "scientific"
Beavercreek, OR. Makers of fine     | fix we attempt, will save our planet
Wooden Canoes, The Stack(R) urban   | until we reduce the population. Let's
composter, fly tying benches        | leave our kids a decent place to live.