One beekeeper from SD, speaking in front of the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON HORTICULTURE AND ORGANIC AGRICULTURE, THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2007, stated

> To help U.S. beekeepers survive recent losses, Congress may want to consider one time loss payments for injured beekeepers. For the longer term, beekeepers should be able to protect themselves against losses of various kinds through Federal crop insur- ance. Congress has authorized crop insurance and it should strongly urge the USDA to implement such a program for beekeepers on an expedited basis.
> 
> Finally, in the 2007 Farm Bill, Congress will have other opportunities to help American beekeepers, including continuing and improving the current marketing program for honey. Mr. Chairman, we look forward to working with Congress to end CCD and to assure that our Nation’s bee industry is strong. Thank you very much for holding this important hearing. I would be pleased to answer any questions that the members of the subcommittee may have.

Fast forward to March 16, 2011:

> Honey producers have soured on a proposed plan to TAX THEMSELVES for additional research and advertising, revealing a split within an industry that faces foreign competition and some inhuman foes. On Wednesday, the Agriculture Department formally ended voting procedures for a second honey promotion program akin to those famous for milk, beef and cotton ads. Officials pulled the plug after honey producers voted the program down.
> 
> The proposal to set up a separate producer-funded honey program failed by a 41-to 59 percent vote in an industry referendum conducted last year.
> 
> "We all know that promotion dollars are important in today's economy," honey producer Jerry Brown, who has California offices in the San Joaquin Valley town of Hickman, noted during a public comment period. Brown, whose company also has offices in Haddam, Kan., added that U.S. honey producers need more "research dollars dedicated to (the) cause" of fighting Colony Collapse Disorder. The term refers to a still-mysterious disappearance of bees, with some colonies losing up to 90 percent of their population.
> 
> "If we had more research money, we would be able to figure out how to stop diseases like this before they become a widespread epidemic," argued commercial beekeeper Steve Park, who is based in California's Shasta County. Beekeeper Richard Adee, who maintains large operations in South Dakota and in Bakersfield, Calif., further added in written comments that "unfair trade practices by foreign producers" have undermined domestic production. Imports now account for more than 70 percent of U.S. honey sales, compared to 40 percent in 1986, Adee said.
> 
> Nonetheless, other producers remained skeptical about the idea of paying more for ads and science. The proposed program would have charged U.S. producers TWO CENTS A POUND, raising an estimated $1.9 million.

PLB

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