>Over 200 reported cases(one case involved 50%of an operation of 1000
colonies ) of bees being killed during corn planting in Ontario last
spring.  The same in Germany several years ago as well as several cases in
Quebec in 2009.  The same chemical was found in bee samples in all three
cases but Bayer says "it must be varroa".

Bob, I am not a Bayer spokesperson, and really don't care if Bayer sells
another bottle of pesticide.  But I am a stickler for the truth.

If you have read my articles available at my website, you would know that I
have documented those bee kills, as well as current issues with planting
dust.

The issue in Germany was resolved, the beekeepers were remunerated, and
there are not currently problems with planting dust there.  Bayer fully
accepted responsibility.

Re the dust issues in the U.S., the Bayer scientists that I speak with
completely accept responsibility when residues are present in the bees.
 Unfortunately, the Bayer brass has not followed up with my strong
suggestion to remunerate beekeepers.  I have never heard Bayer blame
planting dust issues on varroa.  It's pretty easy to see the dead bees in
front of hives--varroa doesn't cause that.  Bayer may well blame elevated
colony losses during winter on varroa, but so do I.

Bayer was very interested in the Ontario bee losses, but was completely
shut out of the investigation.  I find it hard to believe that they are
blaming them on anything--do you have documentation of them saying that?

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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