Thanks to all who responded to the question relating to pollination and
fees when hives are moved after a request from a grower.

Maybe a few comments are justified -

In the original mail I left comments a little ambiguous so not to limit
or pre-empt any thoughts that arose.

The originally described situation arose as the grower  wanted the hives

to be moved and has asked the beekeeper to do it .Then asked what was
due as payment - the grower explaining that he didn't consider it a new
pollination. The beekeeper not wanting to upset the grower with whom he
has excellent terms was left in a cleft stick situation.

I am wondering if this practice once accepted by a few beekeepers would
be the norm.

The hives are not under normal circumstances moved by the growers - it
is the grower that is asking the beekeepers to move their hives again to

another site.

The growers are apparently thinking that the same hives are under the
same contract and therefore think that the original pollination fee
covers - and any extra effort and cost to the beekeeper such as time and

travel costs are due but nothing for the detrimental effects on the
colony from the second move

I realise that a tight contract is advisable - but if such activities
are expected by growers; any attempt to limit movement of hives will be
eventually considered as abnormal - and beekeepers who resist will find
that they are without contracts or are called upon in situation of last
resort!

>From the beekeepers point of view (and mine) the pollination of a crop
is one that is restricted to an area within the natural range for the
bees  and the length of time it takes to get that area pollinated. Any
movement of the hives to another area should be considered as another
contact period. Agreed that due to the grower previously having paid a
fee for the first period, the second may be reduced in some way.

What I wish to have clarify is the following: What is common practice
when reduced fees are agreed! -When increasingly some growers view point

appears to be that a pollination activity by a colony is for the length
of time over which the crop is in flower and the hives may be moved (in
some cases a great distance) to any area that is under his (her) control

when it is in flower.

One position is to the advantage of the grower and the other is to the
advantage of the beekeeper.