>>Doesn't seem like 'sound lending' to me.  I would not lend my own money in such circumstances - would you?
While I agree with you that this is not sound lending (without some security or co lateral), it may be what's required to keep the pollination needs full filled.  It would certainly cost the taxpayer less than more expensive food.
I do have a problem with the Congress granting huge subsidies (which is free money and not even loans!) to big agra and being stingy with loans for commercial beekeepers or organic growers only because their lobbies don't have the same influence.  The whole set-up stinks and makes for an uneven playing field.
I hope the status quo will change since now we have a USDA deputy secretary who is a proponent of good nutrition and sustainability in agriculture.  http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=bios_merrigan.xml
Waldemar 
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