In a message dated 31/07/2008 16:38:31 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

My  thought on the importation of bees into the U.S. is that we, the
>  American beekeepers, have more to gain than we have to lose from honey
>  bee importation.



Steve Taber was probably right genetically; however most of the problems  
with bees are caused by them being moved around the world taking exotic pests  
and diseases with them.  A viable safe compromise would seem to be to  import 
semen (which is not absolutely safe as it can carry viruses) and to use  it in 
carefully controlled conditions until the resulting progeny are found to  be 
disease free and suitable additions for release into the general gene pool as  
Sue Cobey is doing.
 
Chris



   

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