>Douglas Baty wrote
>      Last year I obtained organic certification for my honey through
>OCIA
>(Organic Crop Improvement Association).  Their address is:  3185
>Township
>Rd. 179, Bellefontaine, OH.  43311.  Anyone interested in organic
>honey
>standards can write them or, OGBA, (Organic Growers and Buyers
>Association)
>at 1405 Silver Lake Road, New Brighton, MN  55112, as they also have
>a
>honey certification program.  It was difficult to obtain
>certification, but
>I think possible for anyone with enough land base that is
>organically
>certified, and who lives in an area which is relatively free of
>pesticide/chemical problems.........
>
>>From texts that I have read they have all stated that workers will
>forage up to a 4.5 miles of their hive.  If this is true how can you
>or anyone claim that your bees have not been exposed to and
>pesticides or pollutants.
>
>Bill Hughes
>Bent Holly Honey Farm
>Brighton, Tennessee
 
Clearly no one can claim that bees have not been exposed to pesticides or
pollutants.  What seems to me relevant is whether an organic certification
label says anything meaningful concerning the honey.  All an interested
person can do is read over the regulations and make their own conclusions.