Fellow Beekeepers -
 
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA), has regulations
governing their definition of "organic honey".  No synthetic
pesticides for the control of varroa mites is permitted!
 
Beekeepers need to exercise control over their apiary.
 
Recommendations:
 
1. Locate hives away from non-organic hives by at least 1 mile.
2. Bee yards must be placed at a site where beekeepers can monitor
and have control of activities that may affect organic integrity
(e.g., isolated from possibility of insecticide drift).
3. Beeyards should be beyond 2 miles of the following rivers in
Maine at any point downstream of a paper mill: Penobscot,
Androscoggin, Kennebec, St. Croix and St. John.
4. Beeyards should be beyond 1.5 miles of a farm or other location
greater than 2 acres in size using prohibited pesticides on a regular
basis.  This includes forests, fields,golf courses, etc.
 
Numbers 3 and 4 above will probably become requirements in a few
years.
 
Apiary Plan:
 
All hives to be certified are to be located on a 7.5 minute
topographic map, showing a radius of 1.5 miles from all hives. A
separate map for every location during the season, including yards
established for pollination.  The purpose of the plan is to begin to
assess the pesticide use patterns within the normal foraging area of
7 square miles or so.
 
Beginning in 1999, limits may be fixed for some or all pesticides
within an apiary plan.
 
For further information contact MOFGA P. O. Box 2176, Augusta, Me.
(207) 622-3118.
 
 
Regards
 
 
David Torrey
1249 State St.
Veazie, Me. 04401-6903
Office: (207) 581-3372
Home: (207) 942-1988
Email: [log in to unmask]