Wow, I helped start a small fire. And I think some people are going 
in the right and wrong direction from what I thought it would go.  I 
agree with Eric, interstate commerce has issues. Good and Bad. But 
going back to the importation of bees from other countries, what is 
the true need for pollination (can anyone say (on/off list)) how many 
packages they need to fulfill pollination contracts?  If you were 
*NOT* allowed to import honeybees in "pinches" what would the loss in 
pollination be? Millions, billions? Can US beekeepers provide enough 
pollinators period even? The point is, we need outside bees often to 
meet pollination needs for the US as well as exports. But the 
question associated with that is this, what is the economic, dare I 
say political, and dietary effect of not having sufficient 
pollination? Are the risks as a society (as a whole) worth it to 
import bees, even though you may not know their bagage? Are consumers 
willing to have *cheap* apples, almonds and so fourth for the next 
ten years, while people import random bees with random or unknown 
diseases and problems?  These are questions we as beekeepers and US 
consumers need to start a discussion on, what is the societal costs 
associated with importing bees. I am not against importing bees, but 
know you have to assume the worst.

Nick



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Nick Behrens
Entomology Graduate Student
Iowa State University  

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