Phil Wood wrote:
 
> I can't control what everyone in the forage area is doing. It's
> definitely *not* doable for me.
>
> I don't understand how using foundation affects the honey in any way.
> I don't heat or filter the honey.
> I just can't get any more organic than this, given where I live.
>
> Just my reaction to this. - I think there should be gradations of
> "organic" After all, we shouldn't be designing agricultural policy to
> drive out the small producer.
 
That's the absurdity of it!  You "can't get any more organic than this,
given where <you> live" but based on the proposed legislation you will
not be able to label your honey organic.  The foundation issue is due
to the contamination of beeswax by fluvalinate.  It's argualbe whether
that would lead to contaminated honey, but that's moot as far as the
proposed legislation is concerned.  The problem with the proposed
legislation is that it sets the bar so high no one will be able to jump
over it.  Gradations of organic?  Like 75% organic?  Is that like "kind
of pregnant"?  I think Andy's original point was that the rules are so
stringent that NO honey will be able to be called organic.  And if
other honey producers feel so they had better speak up to their
legislators quickly before the proposed legislation becomes law.
 
But relax folks.  For those who feel they produce "almost organic" honey
there's still the designation of "raw". ;)
 
Happy New Year!
Aaron Morris