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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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From:
"I. Glass" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Mon, 2 Jun 2014 15:06:01 -0400
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Of course, the elephant in the room is: How do you prove a causal relationship between a particular chemical and a particular disorder in bee hives? In the 1950s there was a case where beekeepers sued the State of New York over aerial spraying of DDT. 

They claimed losses to the hives and additionally loss of potential income from the honey. The case dragged on for almost ten years, many experts testified including James Hambleton. The short story is that the case was dismissed, as the court found that it was nearly impossible to determine the cause of the failure of bee hives. 

They listed as possible causes: 

Nosema, spring dwindling, American Foulbrood, European
Foulbrood, 8epticemia, pollen shortage, lack of help, robbing,
improper protection from the elements and excess moisture.

And concluded that the plaintiffs were unable to:

prove or establish any proximate cause which was the cause of,
or contributed to, the alleged damages to claimants' bees and
bee colonies; and they have failed to establish or prove any
negligence on the part of the State, which was a proximate
cause of the damages and losses herein claimed, or which in
any way contributed thereto.

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