>Sept. 12 to Sept. 18 is a bad date for us, Spring is chasing us.
 
I don't think a perfect time exists for Apimondia.  Many of us in Canada are
worried that we won't have things wound down enough to attend,  but any
later would likely have eliminated much of the opportunity for tours and
really cut into the southern season.  The  Belgium dates were out of the
question for most operations here, as we usually haven't come up for air by
that time.  The middle of March sounds great up here as there is usually a
couple of feet of snow left to go. Our friends in the Southern US however
are already hard at it.  See what I mean.
 
>For some reason they refused to accept my proposal.
 
I hope that one of the organizers has taken time to address you directly,
but I don't think your topic fit into the theme of the Conference.  I know
they had quite a number of individuals wishing to speak and unfortunately
you must set some kind of criteria.  I am not saying your topic is not
worthy of discussion, but delegates are already forced into making a number
of choices as what sessions they can attend.
 
 
>Please ask them why if China's honey crop in 1998 was
>disastrous
>(70% down) why the price of honey is so low.
 
 
Already asked Mr. Rumball's firm and other buyers that question.  The answer
we get: Argentinian beekeepers had a bumper crop and are giving it away
again.  When the Argentine product came on stream, prices which had already
been sliding in anticipation, dropped another $.05 US almost overnight.
You're right that eventually we have to match it, but how do your exporters
get so much cheap honey in the first place?  The majority of your producers
must be happy with the prices they recieve or they would organize and bypass
the exporters/importers.
 
Waiting for Spring
David Tharle
Ardmore, AB