Peter Borst <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>The key issue in treatments is "what is the potential for harm". That is 
why
>substances have been selected that occur naturally in honey... 

Hello Peter!

This is of great concern to all in the need to reduce harmful contaminates 
in our colonies.  

I sometimes fear that perhaps, by industry continuing the focus and all 
out efforts towards reducing contaminates by developing ever more 
effective “natural pesticides”.  We are as focus often does;  blocking our 
peripheral vision  from seeing potentially greater harms lurking just 
outside the focal point.  

And this greater harm might well be, the contamination of the breeding 
pool with genetics not having earned representation, having been propped 
up by these ‘less harmful natural pesticides‘. 

Even the most harmless treatment in the world will still spread a major 
contamination,  potentially contributing a greater long term harm to an 
entire breeding population of honeybees.  Unfortunately going overlooked 
with the focus all going to selective harms.  

From my point of view, a '99 % effective less harmful treatment', may just 
as well be as harmful to honeybees as a '99 % effective harmful 
treatment'.  With the affects felt for years, having spread a 
contamination of less fit genetics throughout the breeding population. 

Best Wishes,
Joe Waggle  

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