Two cents worth of opinion ($.02) Wow not much value put on my continued attempts to be the messenger of possible dangers as documented by world class bee scientists, not me, I am only reporting what seems apparant to me from the findings of some researchers of honeybee problems. And where do you people get of in calling this a Hawaii and NZ battle. These dangers I report are greater for Canadian and US honeybees than Hawaii honeybees At present the NZ honeybees just pass through the Honolulu airport and are not allowed into our state. Only because of our efforts in Hawaii to keep them out. The BEE RESEARCH LABORATORY with the USDA had no problems allowing the NZ bees into the US and Hawaii except for the fuss that was raised in the 11th and 1/2 hour of fraudulent rule making without proper notice attempted by USDA last year at the request of the NZ beekeeping industry. How pretentious to think that anyone has any idea what happens to NZ bees after they arrive in Canada. Everyone has their own agenda and mine is to try a sound the alarm that the BEE RESEARCH LABORATORY refuses to discuss. Isn't it a little odd that BRL has yet to mention to the media anything about honeybee viruses? Isn't it a little odd that BRL has yet to notify American beekeepers of the increased problems to be expected with the arrival of Viruses Sorry if my comments seem to ruffle a few of you computer beekeepers and I have strong concerns for the integrity of the BRL with it's current organization and it's current management philosophy of no applied research and no peer review including input from industry. Mine is not a Hawaii and NZ issue mine is an issue with the way that the USDA, BRL has failed to "PROTECT AMERICAN AGRICULTURE" the mission statement of the USDA. The best to all . Walter Patton Walter & Elisabeth Patton, 27-703 A Ka' ie'ie Rd., Papaikou HI.,96781 Ph./Fax. 808-964-5401 E-Mail hihoney@ilhawaii Beekeeper and Bed & Breakfast Owner in Hawaii http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/hihoney.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/beeware.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/lamalani.htm