On Tue, 13 Jun 2006 06:28:43 -0400, Michael Palmer 
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>Why?? It's usually the gov't that ends such programs, by removing 
the
>funding. Why would the MN Honey Producers want to end the 
inspection program?
>Mike


In my original post I tried to stick with the published facts. 

Here is my understanding of what and why.....

The troubles started with the poplar plantation/Sevin case Jim Fisher 
referenced in his last post on this subject. 

The Mn dept of Ag (MDA) and DNR really showed a lack of leadership 
and perhaps did not undertand the scope and seriousness of the 
issue.  I have been told that the "state " had grant monies involved in 
the poplar program and job security may have played a role in the foot 
dragging. 

This essentially started a war between MDA and Mn Honey Producers. 
( MHPA). 

The first casualty in the war was Blaine White who after doing a 
superb job of running the state apiary program was suddenly moved 
into a new "career building" position. My  contacts said Blaine had 
lobbied for the beekeepers and was moved into the back 40 for his 
lack of solidarity. 

Then in 2005 a series of unfreindly changes to the apiary statute 
including a stiff increase in colony registration fees was imposed by 
MDA. 

Throughout the winter as the war drums were being pounded by both 
sides, MDA insisted through their spokesperson that they wanted to 
keep the statutue intact. 

Intertestingly the spring 2006 registration forms never went out at  all 
to beekeepers so I detect some complicity in the MDA's actions. 

I think MDA figures this will come back to bite MHPA and went along 
with it. 

During 2005 some sort of poll was taken of MPHA members at a 
biannual meeting and the result was a membership vote to ask the 
state to repeal the apiary statute. 

Using this bogus "mandate" the powers at large in MHPA carried the 
battle forward to the state capitol and onward to Victory!!!!!! yeah keep  
those nasty un-bee friendly state employees away from our bees!!!!!

My own opinion is that the non commercial beekeepers were shafted 
on this deal and many are hobbyists who really do not understand the 
risks of having migratory beekeepers operating in the state.

Conversely beekeepers who make a living from their hives do not 
have the state looking after the little guys who may be spreading mites 
or FB around through lack of knowledge.

The sad thing is that we had some pretty industry friendly reg's on the 
books and my guess is when (not if) the state apiary statue returns the 
next time around may not be so industry friendly. 

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