At 01:33 PM 12/22/1997 -1000, you wrote:
>Dear BEE-L readers
>The USDA is poised to allow Australian and New Zealand honey bees into the United States....
 
I personally believe this is a terrible mistake in that its potential for spreading diseases and/or parasites can not be reversed.
 
Simply put: In this case an ounce of prevention is more valuable than tons of cure.
 
If the compelling need for some genetic material from a foreign source arises, I believe strict quarantine procedures should be observed.
 
Safety in beekeeping is more complicated than merely avoiding back injury, and confining fire to your smoker. It's also being a good husband in a very important part of agriculture, which affects us all greatly.
 
Best of luck, I sure hope the bureaucrats don't blow this one.
 
        -              Stan Umlauft dba
       "  `            A & Bee Honey Farms       /)
       "   `           P.O. Box 5155          -8|||}-
   _- -_`-_|'\  /`     Bay Point, CA USA         \)
 _/ / / -' `~()()      94565-0655
  \_\ _ /\-._/\/       (510)458-3900, fax (510)458-5560
       /   | |         email: [log in to unmask]
      '`   ^ ^         web site: http://www.wimall.com/beeinfo/