Hello All, A look into the future. The push for stopping the Aussie import. Which worked for Canada beekeepers for over two decades will further the cause of those working hard under WTO rules to open the Mexican border to imports. Opening the Mexican border will end the predicted shortage in 2011 & 2012. Give almond growers a unlimited source of hives. Almond pollination prices could drop 50% package bee prices might go as low as $15-25 a package queens from 90 cents to a few dollars. WTO rules demand it as we have the same pests as Mexico. We have as likely a risk ( in reality more) getting T. clarae off a container from Asia in Miami as from Australia which does not get the ocean containers we do. Life is like a big chess game. In chess if you do not think ahead you will hear the words "checkmate". Off to move bees in the mud. Snow & cold Saturday. Strange Missouri weather. bob Ps. If you check the archives I have always spoke out against opening the Mexican border but under WTO rules I can't see those wanting the border kept closed being able to do so. Some very large beekeepers are forming ties and investing in Mexican operations. Mexican beekeepers are attending ABF conventions. I warned about the issue as early as 2004 when several beekeepers started making plans. Telling of plans. Perhaps some of those pushing to stop the Aussie import. Stopping the Aussie import would benefit opening the Mexican border. As with the organophosphates. If you close a door in an area it opens a door in another. Those pushing systemic pesticides ( since the 1954 BC article i referenced) saw a long awaited opening. People today seem willing to accept a certain amount of pesticide in their food be it PPM or PPB without knowing the long term effects. Washing will not remove the neonicotinoids as with sprayed on pesticides.. The industry needs package bees in January as does Canada in April. Hawaii could help but said no. Mexico is the likely source. *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Access BEE-L directly at: http://community.lsoft.com/scripts/wa-LSOFTDONATIONS.exe?A0=BEE-L