When Bob recently reminded us that the head of the French Apicultural Union said 
that the situation in France improved after the partial banning of Gaucho and 
Regent, I questioned that having heard rumour to that effect and after seeing a 
report on Apimondia in Montpelier.  He was quoted again in the French press 
yesterday:

http://www.laterre.fr/article.php3?id_article=442 (in French)

or in Franglais:

http://tinyurl.com/2w24fdn

So, he is still saying that the banning improved the situation, but he is 
acknowledging other causes too.  A slight shift in position, but not the strong 
one I suggested previously.

There is a very comprehensive and carefully worded review of bee losses in 
France here:

http://www.afssa.fr/Documents/SANT-Ra-MortaliteAbeilles.pdf

Unusually for a French technical report, it offers an English translation 
alongside the French in the report.  Well worth a read if you have even a vague 
interest in what is happening to bee colonies in France.  It refuses to commit 
itself on the causes of colony losses, but it does give the evidence a good 
airing.  My impression is that the authors of the report would give a different 
emphasis from M Clement quoted above, but read it for yourself and find out.

best wishes

Gavin


             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm