Dave,

> > Abating of toxic fluxes to bees
>
> I need an explanation here!... What is a toxic flux?
>
> (when I find that out it may tell me why abatement is appropriate)
>

I didn't write the words, so my understanding of the above may be wide
of
the mark.

I take the phrase to mean that there is "a need" to reduce or halt
materials that are detrimental to bees when in contact with individuals
or colonies   .
These materials come into contact with bees via. direct or indirect
routes present in the environment.
Fluxes are often indistinct, difficult to define (spatial) bodies, often

moving in apparently random directions - at least their dispersion
patterns are hard to predict as there are often too many factors
involved
- a little like trying to predict where a particular cloud is going to
go
next and in what shape.

This type of problem occurs when:

1.Scientific knowledge relevant to the specific material is unknown or
limited due to lack in research. This maybe a result of investigation
being specifically limited in direction or scope.

2.Scientific knowledge is adequate but overriding circumstances (higher/

greater priorities) result in a material being employed - but causing
damage in non targeted species /areas.

3.Lack in scientific knowledge in how a specific material passes through

the environment, coupled with what and how it reacts over an extended
period - the magical cocktail phenomenon!


Referring to the origin of this topic:

My view point is that beekeeping is undertaken for many personal reasons

- but the underlying factor is that it is productive. It is considered
beneficial by the public. But we are being hindered from fulfilling what

is possible due to not being able to apply adequate pressure. This is a
result of not being taken seriously when priorities are being fixed -
with predictable consequences.

My major concern for the future is that as an agricultural sector we
will
be cut to a point of having little effective input, and then for what
ever reason the public moving against our products, due to circumstances

beyond our control.

Therefore, instead of only reacting, we must direct foreseeable events
as
much as possible.
Examples:
1.The public do not appear to be alarmed as yet about alien additions
into hives - but a least in Europe, I wonder how long this situation is
going to last; Antibiotics, Anti V.j. treatments, Insecticidal,
fungicidal, herbicidal residues etc.
2. G.M.O. products - farmers may not wish to have bees marauding freely
and therefore messing up required crosses with wild pollen (+
unauthorized movement of copy righted genes!/ production of seeded fruit

when non is required).
3. G.M.O. products in our final products - maybe less of a problem in
the
Americas than in Europe.
4. Attracting individuals who are capable of continuing the industry.

If it becomes a generalized opinion that we a disparate group of
purveyors of tainted goods, messing up the environment and are semi
senile at the same time - without much much clout in the world of
research or in other places of strategic decision making  - what is the
future?

It is considered here in France by some that beekeepers are individuals
who a trying to hold back advances in agricultural science and are
luddites due to the intense questioning that we as a group have posed
regarding the effects of certain substances. It need not degenerate much

to loose the good will of the public.

Therefore the reasoning for my original question - what are our needs
and
how can we deal with them.

Peter

P.S. Hope my comments on Flux Abatement are correct!