Hello,
The recent news article post regarding Luella and Horace Bell closing their
business because of imports and related comments don't seem to get to the
root cause of the issue.  I am writing this just to provide some food for
thought not to offend or start a debate.  First and foremost Free Trade is
not the same as Fair Trade.
Lucinda Seawell wrote:

>"producers of quality honey must be governed first and foremost by their
market"

That would be true if all honey was produced under similar guidelines.  If
the Bells had over 11 employees, they have to meet regulations concerning
labor, wages, insurance, and are subjected to federal and state safety
standards (OSHA, Dept. of Ag., etc.).  Those are costs that directly affect
the profit of any company.  If they wished to purchase imported queens from
a less expensive breeder, lets say in Argentina, they are not permitted.  (I
am not advocating this.)  If they wished to treat their colonies using
formic acid, they could not and for the most part still cannot, due to
regulations.  Yet their honey must now compete in the world market where
formic is allowed, queens are less expensive, etc.  The playing field is far
from level.

>"There is no such thing as a good product which cannot be sold."

This is true, but at what cost.  I sell my honey at a local farm market.
People know it is mine and are looking for local honey so  I receive a good
price.  If I place it in a local supermarket in addition to competing with
the store brand "generic" honey I also must compete with a local packer who
sells imported honey.  If someone is looking for "local" honey and they see
his name and address they may assume it is locally produced.  After all it
states U.S. Grade A on the label, but if you look close at the very fine
print it reads "sources: Canada, Argentina, United States".   There is
probably nothing wrong with this honey except I believe it is misleading
(and I am sure it does not taste nearly as good and mine).

A few years ago, Bob Smith, formerly of the National Honey Board spoke at
meeting I attended.  He said the goal of the Honey Board in the next few
years was to encourage Americans to eat more honey.  I asked the question,
"American Honey?".  He skirted the issue but when pressed said he felt that
if more honey was consumed everyone would benefit.  Looks good on the
surface.

I don't know how to solve this problem.  A good start would be a change in
labeling requirements.  We need to eliminate the U.S. Grade A statement.
If one wishes to carry the label "local" or "Product of United States" on
their product it cannot contain any imported honey at all.  And if I may be
so bold, anyone that packs imported honey would not be permitted to use the
above type of label wording on any of their products domestic or not.  I
realize the last one may upset some (and probably impossible to enforce),
but based on what I have seen at a "regulated farmers market", a system is
only as honest as its most corrupt individual.

The consumer would have a choice and then they may understand why one jar of
honey is more expensive than another.  At this point the market would be
governed by the consumer.

Just my thoughts,

Ron Bogansky
Kutztown, (eastern) PA, USA