Richard wrote:
> The easier and quicker you can transport goods the more likely it is  that 
> we will see transmission of almost any variety of pest, disease,  virus, 
> and the like...

I agree however as was pointed out in an earlier post some new arrivals are 
a benefit. We are now seeing what happens when we allow the rest of the 
world to do our manufacturing for us. A constant abundance of overseas 
containers enroute to our shores.  Many of these sit at point of origin with 
open doors for days while being loaded. All manor of species are imported. 
In Miami, Florida these are stacked high for miles due to the fact it is 
cheaper to sell for steel rather than return to China.

Brazilian Pepper is out of control in Florida and is a wonderful honey 
plant. Efforts to eradicate were a dismal failure. Has been a tremendous 
boon for beeks.

If you look at the article which I did for the American Bee journal ( 
November 2005 pg. 899) you will see another boon for beekeepers in the 
making. The weed is now in over five states ( several states on both coasts) 
and out of control in Oregon. The weed  is a water white honey producing 
weed which covers over a million acres in Australia. Some call the week 
"Paterson's Curse" after Mrs. Patterson which some say imported the 
beautiful purple weed for her garden around a 100 years ago. Over a million 
acres covered in a 100 years.

I traced the source of Paterson's Curse back to imported bird seed.

Beekeepers call "Paterson's Curse" by the name "Salvation Jane" as crops of 
water white honey ( 8-10 on the Pfund scale). To get an idea of colors on 
the pfund scale (used by packers which ALWAYS fight over water white honey 
which is used to make dark bakery grade honey lighter) White is 17-34 and 
extra light amber is 34-50 Amber is 85-114.
Quite a bit of Argentine honey arrives in the high end of amber. The normal 
packer *cut* for dark amber is two drums high end white mixed with 8 drums 
of amber. The same color could be had with *one* drum of "Salvation Jane".

"Salvation Jane" ( E. plantagineum) Is very very drought resistant which 
will be a boon for California beeks which have been fighting drought in many 
areas the last few years. In Australia yields of honey from "Salvation Jane" 
over 200 pounds are common.

Failure of honey crops from  from "Salvation Jane" in Australia are rare.

Last century beeks were accused of importing the dreaded thistle. Thistle is 
called thistle in Missouri but in some areas thistle is called "Chapman's 
Honey Plant" for the beek blamed for the import. I have not get thistle on 
my farm. Many spray after the seeds have set which is a waste of time. I go 
into the pastures and cut the tops off the plant and burn the tops in a burn 
barrel. Much more effective than killing a plant which has already set seed.

bob 

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