Hi all,

I feel as if someone should point out that while the feeding of sugar of any sort may not be intrinsically harmful, it would be wise to avoid feeding bees altogether unless absolutely necessary. How can we ask for more oversight on honey to ensure that it isn't adulterated, when beekeepers are potentially a source of adulteration? Production of pure honey requires careful management.

Furthermore, with the concern over honey bee nutrition, it should be top priority to do everything in our power to see that bees have the best natural food that can be obtained. This means keeping them in areas where there is a diverse assortment of beneficial "bee plants". As opposed to stockpiling them in marginal areas and trying to make up for mediocre conditions. 

I usually try to defend the beekeeping industry against claims that beekeepers are just "feed-lotting livestock" but the practices of some beekeepers resemble this more than "putting them out to pasture." It's worth repeating that a poor beekeeper can thrive in a good location, while even an expert beekeeper will fail in a poor one. And, that's because the conditions are poor for the bees!

PLB

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