I'm forwarding the content & link sent to me for posting on Bee-L by DeWayne Lumpkin, writer for ABJ.  

DeWayne is digging for response concerning Chinese honey, dumping & chloramphenicol tainted shipments into the U.S.  If you hold an opinion, fact or story and would like to see some portion in print I would direct you to the e-mail address below and encourage you to contribute.  He's on a deadline so please act quickly.  

Matthew Westall - Castle Rock, CO
replies to be sent to : [log in to unmask]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: [log in to unmask] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2004 9:49 PM
Subject: For posting on message boards re: Chinese Honey


Recent EU decision to drop ban on Chinese Honey has led to official Chinese statements about EU decisions and US policies. See paraphrased Chinese statements and please respond. Any replies may be compiled for an upcoming rebuttal of Chinese statements in an article for Honey Industry Publication. Read related article from UK Newspaper The Guardian @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,1265467,00.html

The Chinese say that they had no part in "transshipment" of Chinese Honey and have no control over what developing countries do with honey they sell to them? They state that Vietnam, Mexico, Thailand, Argentina, Malaysia (the list goes on) acting independently and the Chinese had no knowledge of their disguising "country of origin" and attempting to circumvent US tariffs and EU ban. Do you believe this? Why or why not? (Opinions are appreciated, but facts will go further in strengthening US honey producers position on issues regarding Chinese Honey.)

The Chinese say that US Honey Producers fabricate information about Chinese Honey and that China is not exporting large quantities of Ultra-filtered honey. They say US Honey producers have made this up as a "technical barrier to trade." Do you agree? Why or why not?

The Chinese say that they are not alone in having honey test positive for veterinary medicines. They say: "Antibiotic in honey is a global problem, not just a problem in China. The report on the international honey industry said that sulfonamides were found in Canadian honey, tetracycline and streptomycin in American, Mexican, and Argentine honey, miticides and insecticides in American honey and CAP in Chinese and European honey. This report manifests that these issues are global in respect to both geography and ranges of residues."  Can you comment on Chinese position/assertions?  

The Chinese have stated that tolerance levels for CAP are inconsistent with levels set for other veterinary medicines and not consistently applied. They say this is unfair trade practice. Can you comment?

Also, do you think the EU lifting their ban on Chinese Honey will eliminate the need for China to "dump" honey at below market value? Do you think since the Chinese won't be as desperate for an outlet for their honey, they may reduce shipments (or export attempts) to the US? Do you think there's a positive outcome for US honey producers? Will it affect prices which have been falling?

I'm on an incredibly tight deadline (Friday - in three days), hoping to provide "rebuttal" of the Chinese comments and a "forecast" of likely events to follow EU lifting ban on Chinese Honey. 

All responses appreciated, but remember facts, figures, dates, reports - SPECIFICS - will help most.

Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.

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