The current bone-gnawing over the US Agriculture bill is difficult to
follow, but two items of interest to beekeepers appear in the current
"offer" by the House Of Representatives to the Senate, as found in
http://agriculture.house.gov/fbhouse.pdf

An interesting item is the creation of a stronger "country of origin"
labeling requirement on nearly all commodities, mandatory in 2005:

    "Country of Origin Labeling:

      For meat, fresh fruits & vegetables, and all other commodities addressed
      in the Senate bill, require the Secretary to issue rules for voluntary labeling
      by September 30, 2002. This program would become mandatory on
      January 1, 2005 unless the Secretary determines that it would not be in the
      best interests of producers and consumers. Criteria to be used by the Secretary
      include at the minimum:

        - Potential costs outweigh benefits to producers.
        - It could interfere with U.S. access to international markets for producers.
        - It would result in no significant positive impact on producer's incomes."

This should make things a bit more clear on grocery-store honey labels, and
start to force some hands.  The full text of the legislation can be read at
http://agriculture.house.gov/2646hea.htm  in:

    "SEC. 18. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN LABELING OF
    PERISHABLE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES"

I sure hope that someone does not try to claim that honey is not "perishable",
and start yet another convocation of the chowder and marching society.  :)

For the big boys, the honey loan program looks like it will be restored, but the
hopes for $0.65/lb appear to be dashed:

     "Honey Commodity Loan Program:
       Maintain House/Senate loan rate at $.60/lb."

...but not a word on the specifics regarding the Bee Labs.  Anyone have a clue on
the restoration of funding for the bee labs?

        jim