+-------------------------------+
###From: [log in to unmask]
###Subject:      NZ pest/disease status...
###Date:         Sun, 20 Feb 1994 19:51:00 +1300
###
###New Zealand being pest or disease free.  It's not.  We DO have
###bee pests and diseases, we inspect SERIOUSLY, we monitor and
###conduct exotic surveillance, we have registration of sites to
###ensure we CAN identify and respond to any potential outbreak as
###effectively as possible.  And we have export certification that
###ensures we comply to provide the product we claim to provide.  We
###DO know what pests and diseases we have, believe it or not!
###
###So far I've heard why no one would WANT to buy our bees - they
###don't come from an area with ENOUGH pests and diseases and
###shipping damages queen potential.  How about some reasons why we
###shouldn't be given the chance to try?
 +-------------------------------+
 
   Hi Nick,
 
     I don't know how to make it any clearer.. I buy queens, I also
have shipped queens and bees. You must be able to sell me on why I
should buy your queens and not buy them from someone else..then you
may get a chance to sell me some queens or bees.
 
     Your post reads like its from someone in the regulatory business
that is selling better regulations. I buy bees from beekeepers not
regulators, I buy them based on the recommendation of other beekeepers
and trial and error. Price is the first consideration. Shipping dates
is the 2nd.
 
     It is good to know that you are proud of what your country is
doing to protect beekeepers, my country says they are doing the same
for me.. The problem is that the bees could care less.<G>
 
     There are indeed a few here, inside and out of government, that
would remove all restrictions for economic reasons, others would have
them stay the same for economic reasons. Because of recent negative
political actions on the bee industry the balance is in favor of
keeping all import regulations unless the industry asks for change.
 
     I am not trying to insult you, only respond to your question.
The thing that drives trade between countries is economics. I do not
believe you have shown how I would benefit from the purchasing queens
from New Zealand, other then you have the worlds best pest detection
system. This is great for your beekeepers but has little value to me
as a prospective customer who understands the difference between
the good intentions of inspections schemes and the nature of bees and
realities of keeping bees healthy.
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