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Date: | Thu, 2 May 2013 09:29:36 -0600 |
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I love the Emperor's new clothes.
> ...a comprehensive scientific report on honey bee health. The report
> states that there are multiple factors playing a role in honey bee
> colony declines, including parasites and disease, genetics, poor
> nutrition and pesticide exposure.
Nothing new.
> Key findings include: Parasites and Disease Present Risks to Honey
> Bees:
Not new
> The parasitic Varroa mite is recognized as the major factor
> underlying colony loss in the U.S. and other countries.
Not new
> There is widespread resistance to the chemicals beekeepers use to
> control mites within the hive.
Not new
> New virus species have been found in the U.S. and several of these
> have been associated with Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).
Hmmm. What exactly does this mean?
> Increased Genetic Diversity is Needed:
I though that this has been debunked several times by studies showing
good diversity.
> Poor Nutrition Among Honey Bee Colonies:
We have been talking about this for over a decade -- long enough that at
least four new feed formulas came on the market.
> There is a Need for Improved Collaboration and Information Sharing:
I wonder if, past a point,this merely narrows the pool of ideas and
lessens competition, and increases the herd mentality in researchers.
Independence in research and real competition is essential to getting
anywhere.
> Best Management Practices associated with bees and pesticide use,
> exist, but are not widely or systematically followed by members of
> the crop-producing industry. There is a need for informed and
> coordinated communication between growers and beekeepers and
> effective collaboration between stakeholders on practices to protect
> bees from pesticides. Beekeepers emphasized the need for accurate and
> timely bee kill incident reporting, monitoring, and enforcement.
It was ever thus. Could have been written 50 years ago.
> Additional "Send money" The most pressing pesticide research
> questions relate to determining actual pesticide exposures and
> effects of pesticides to bees in the field and the potential for
> impacts on bee health and productivity of whole honey bee colonies.
Mom's apple pie. Always good for a few more bucks.
> An estimated one-third of all food and beverages are made possible by
> pollination, mainly by honey bees.
B.S.
---
Allen Dick
Swalwell, Alberta, Canada
http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/
51°33'37.58"N 113°18'54.24"W
40+ years keeping bees
Fall 2012 count: 89 hives
Spring 2013: 60 hives
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