Randy Said: But the court that I'm speaking of is composed of the very beekeepers whom you most quote. I'm not even in the jury--I've just been watching the proceedings. Here is a real story to share with you about farmers' reaction to what is going on regarding pesticides (Neonics), CCD, and bees. I was invited to give a couple of talks at SABA meeting in Albany NY. As Dr. Enesto Guzman (University of Guelph, Ontario)and I were crossing the border at Niagara falls, the immigration officer asked his questions about my job, purpose of the trip, etc. As soon as I mentioned honey bees, He said Sir, let me ask you this question: Do you think that the Neonics are the cause of CCD in the USA? I was surprised by this type of question. I asked him back how do you know all of this information. What do you do for living? He replied "I am a part time farmer and that what i am going to do in my retirement. I allow beekeepers to use my land to keep their bees in Up State NY. I am a user of Neonics. If the beekeepers will keep pointing fingers at the neonics, How am I going to survive or keep healthy crops for their bees to pollinate? I am going to grow X-mas trees and let these beekeepers get **** out of my farm. This was an eye opening regarding finger pointing. Of course we need protection of our bees in a balanced system that offers also protection to farmers. To achieve this balance, farmers and beekeepers must change to develop better means for protecting their bees and crops. Anyway - the immigration officer let me go to the meeting and I shared this story with the participants beekeepers. Medhat Medhat Nasr, Ph. D. Crop Diversification Centre North, Alberta, Canada. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html