Why does it have to be a choice between the work of professional bee scientists and that of amateurs? Surely that's an unjustifiable polarisation; can they not find a way to work together? I see no reason why the work of a beekeeper can't be just as valuable as that of a scientist, and vice versa. No scientist can spread their experimental hives over an entire continent, so their results are as likely to be affected by local factors as anyone else's. That can, of course, be overcome by a community of scientists working together; at the moment we have work on fungi as potential varroa treatments being done both in the UK and in the States, for instance. Amateurs, too, if I can use such a term when some may well be professional beekeepers, can work together. The original scientists, after all, were amateurs with enough money to have the leisure and the education to do it, and there are still areas where amateurs make valuable contributions. I see no reason why beekeeping shouldn't be another. Regards, Robert Brenchley :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::