I have resisted posting replies to some of the off-the-wall comments on the proposal to expand the Honey Board because of the title of the BEE-L: "Discussion of Bee Biology." But the latest..... >Date: Wed, 25 Feb 1998 14:26:10 EST >From: Hervey Heywood <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: 2 cent board..... ..... pushed my button too hard. He posted, on behalf of Joe Rowland: >If enacted, honey producers will lose control of the NHB, commercial >beekeepers will see their Honey Board "Income Tax" soar, and the stage will >be set for increased regulation and bureaucracy industry-wide. Briefly, under the proposal, producers (and importers) will continue to pay 1-cent, but packers will now also pay 1-cent. Should they continue to get off without paying? The increased regulation will be in the form of keeping malefactors from diluting their honey with corn syrup and gaining an unfair advantage over everyone else, not to mention risking the reputation legitimate honey producers and packers have nurtured over the centuries. An important part of the proposal mandates the Honey Board spends *at least* 8% of its annual revenues for beekeeping research. Not honey marketing research -- not new product research -- *beekeeping* research. Under the proposal 8% would be about $500,000. There is no way the beekeepers can lose control of the Honey Board. Producer members have to hold 50% of the seats. The proposal has been endorsed by American Beekeeping Federation, American Honey Producers Association, National Honey Packers and Dealers Association, and Sioux Honey Association. Finally, it will have to endorsed by the assessment-paying members of the industry before it goes into effect. The legislation in Congress simply lets it come to a vote of the industry. Ask yourself: Why don't the opponents want to allow the industry to vote on the proposal? After a thorough airing at the ABF Convention, it was endorsed unanimously. If you want more information, check out the ABF website: abfnet.org or contact me for more information. Let's let the people who will be paying the bill decide. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Troy Fore Executive Director American Beekeeping Federation P.O. Box 1038, Jesup, GA 31598-1038 Ph. 912-427-4233 Fax 912-427-8447 Email: [log in to unmask] Home Page: http://www.abfnet.org --------------------------------------------------------------------------