http://www.kwwl.com/Global/story.asp?S=9853653


Iowa implements new rule to protect bee colonies
Posted: Feb 16, 2009 04:35 PM
WATERLOO (KWWL) -- The Iowa Secretary of Agriculture says worldwide reports of Colony 
Collapse Disorder (CCD), where whole hives of bees just disappear, is alarming for Iowa where 
bees are vital to the state's agricultural productivity.

Bees help pollinate crops and as a result, the Secretary of Agriculture estimates the economic 
impact of honey bee pollination in Iowa is $92 million annually.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship recently published an updated "Bee 
Rule" that is designed to better protect the health of the 30,000 colonies of bees that are located 
across the state.

The updated rule limits the application of insecticides labeled as dangerous to bees in areas near 
registered apiaries around the active foraging hours of honeybees. The applications must occur 
prior to 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. These times are designed to prevent application directly to 
foraging bees and also allows chemicals to settle and dry onto plant surfaces outside the primary 
hours of active bee foraging.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is urging all the apiaries in the state to register with the 
Sensitive Crops Directory so that pesticide applicators have the most up-to-date information 
possible. In an effort to keep the directory as accurate as possible, the information will be purged 
every year on Dec. 31, so it is vital that those on the directory re-enter their information every 
year to remain active.

The new "Bee Rule" came from meetings held by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land 
Stewardship officials, Iowa Honey Producers Association board members, pesticide applicators, 
Iowa State University experts and beekeepers.

The previous "Bee Rule" had been in place since 1979. Recently the Administrative Rules Review 
formally invalidated the old rule on the grounds the Department lacked that statutory authority to 
implement it. This action made enforcement of the old rule impossible.

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