Reading Aaron's comments relating to vendors -
"It's their job to sell what the consumer will buy." - therefore
apparently  defending their right to supply whatsoever to a "willing
public"

Relate to the situation of the Agro.-Pharma. Industry:

They not only manufacture, market and supply materials to "the
consumer", but do the supporting research either via.in house or from
"independent research establishments". The latter often being paid to do
the work by the manufacturer.
Results from both situations are then often withheld from general
scrutiny, especially if the results are not to companies liking.

At least it can be said that the Beekeeping suppliers were using
information available to all who wished to get informed of the true
situation.
I understand that even Public Gov't bodies withhold information if
research undertaken by them is paid for by the private companies. So
much for Freedom of Information.

Peter