Excerpts from BEE-L wrote: > > From: Allen Dick <[log in to unmask]> > To: [log in to unmask] > > Did anyone see this? Try http://www.usgov.gov/news/aprlflls/ > > (I take no responsibility for the content of that purported site and > advise readers to verify the facts before reacting. The purported article > is too long to quote here, so I'll just use a few lines here and there... > and you can search for the rest). > > > USDA Opens Borders to Importation of New Zealand Bees > > > In a surprise move, US and New Zealand officials announced jointly > > this morning that beginning 4/1/98, the US will allow importation and > > trans-shipment of New Zealand bees to and through all US states, > > including Hawaii... > > > ... After several years of low key discussions between agriculture > > officials it has been determined that New Zealand bees are entirely free > > of any harmful viruses and other diseases or pests that might affect > > American beekeeping other than American Foulbrood (AFB), a disease which > > exists throughout the USA anyhow. However to prevent transmission of any > > new stains of AFB, the protocol requires that any apiaries from which > > owners plan to export bees to the USA be treated with oxytetracycline > > for at least three months previous to any shipment. > > > ...Moreover, in a new initiative for more open trade worldwide, it is > > expected that the Canadian border will be opened to US bee imports > > within the month... Further, the restrictions on Chinese honey imports > > to the USA will be withdrawn June 1... > > ... in contemplating the meaning of this report, readers are advised to > consider the date of its transmission... > > --- > Disclaimer: The articles on Best of Bee are often opinion > rather than fact, and are not necessarily completely researched. > Use with caution -- and at your own risk. ALLEN, IT DON'T WORK