>Given the current disastrous state
of our pollinators - especially in the U.S. - is this not sensible?

What disastrous state of pollinators in the USA are you talking about?

Yes, there are some beekeeping operations which have management problems, and those operations suffer.
Yes, there are some beekeeping operations that are well managed, and those operations flourish.

Misfortune makes for better news stories and propaganda pieces, but does not always reflect reality.  There really are beekeeping operations that are profitable, with manageable losses, and are doing good.

The reality is that for the past 15-20 years, the number of managed colonies in America has remained fairly constant at about 2.5 million colonies, give or take fluctuations of a few hundred thousand in some years.

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