Mark,
Thanks for the reply!

The loss to a Florida beekeeper (when load is turned around) is approx.
$20,000 in trucking fees plus the loss of pollination fees. Loss of
pollination to the almond grower. I figure at least a 10% loss of queens
each way for shipment from Missouri which is three days. Six days from
Florida (each way)could easily be 20% queens.
I am a gambler and always have been but sending a semi load to California
hoping the inspectors will not enforce a "new" 2006 regulation saying all
loads with a single small hive beetle find will be turned around is a bit
of a gamble.
A better bet would be to put the load in the hands of a trucker which will
drive around the inspection station. Stupid rules make outlaws of
otherwise law abiding beekeepers!
Hopefully Mark is right and the California inspection service will
completely disregard the new 2006 "Q"status for small hive beetle! After
all tens of thousands of hives have entered California with small hive
beetle since 1998. Why the rule now California beekeepers? Almond growers
& out of state beekeepers did not push for the new rule.
I have never opened a hive in Florida the last two years and not seen a
SHB or two. They also are easily seen under netting when the load is
stopped for any length of time such as when the load is checked for fire
ants.
Sincerely,
Bob Harrison
Georgia mountains

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