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Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology

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From:
randy oliver <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Informed Discussion of Beekeeping Issues and Bee Biology <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Thu, 27 Feb 2014 11:32:29 -0800
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>
> >beekeepers oversell their case and undermine their credibility when they
> rely on this type of hyperbole
>

Depends upon how one interprets "security."  If one interpreted it as a
threat of starvation of the populace, then it would be an overstatement. On
the other hand, if one interprets it as maintaining the diversity of
healthful produce that the American consumer is accustomed to, (as opposed
to a diet consisting solely of grains and potatoes), then honey bees are
 definitely part of the picture.

From a political point of view, the ag industry pays plenty each year for
pollination services (about a quarter of BILLION dollars for almond
pollination alone).  California is the nation's #1 state in ag production,
and almonds are the crop of second-highest value (behind dairy, and about
tied with grapes).  So honey bees definitely play a major role in
California's agricultural production.

And then there is the critical supply of seed for crops, much of it
pollinated by honey bees.

Vilsak's statement reflects political reality.  He manages the purse
strings of of USDA funding for all commodity groups.  The value of honey
bee pollination services ranks right up there with other forms of
livestock, and deserves attention and funding by the USDA.

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

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