> Cerana are non native. Bringing in illegal would cause you steep fines. A
> simple glance into a hive would alert the bee inspector.
>
> At least one other beekeeper looked at the issue with an open mind ( Todd)
> and saw cerana as an option besides me and a few friends.
>
> Several of my friends went on the China beekeeping tour and saw cerana as
an
> option but almost impossible to sell the USDA on because of non native
> species.
>
> Bob
>

Just thinking out loud here.

Since A. Mellifera is the baseline for comparison, I wonder how A. Mellifera
ever came to be considered a "native" species?

Also, what additional threats (disease, parasites, displacement of native
species, etc.) could A. Cerana really pose?  They seem to occupy the same
niche as A. Mellifera, so it would seem that the worst that could happen is
a resurgance of naturalized (mite & disease resistant) honey bees - a
situation which used to be the norm, and is now looked upon with nostalgia.

Lastly, I wonder if it could be argued that not allowing A. Cerana use may
be placing U.S. beekeepers at an economic disadvantage relative to Asia? (a
long shot, I grant you...)

Regards,

Todd.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::