Natural Beekeeping International Forum

[biobee]

Dear Beekeeper,

As you are probably aware by now, the British Bee Keepers Association (BBKA) has an arrangement with certain pesticide manufacturers to endorse some of their products as 'bee friendly', despite the fact that they are known to be toxic to bees. They have also failed to make any statement condemning the now widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides, despite the proven fact that they caused the death of millions of bees in Germany this year, and have done so in Italy and France since the turn of the century.

When making statements to the press, the BBKA seems very reluctant to even mention pesticides as a possible cause of problems to bees, despite massive European evidence to the contrary. BBKA secretary Mike Harris was quoted recently in the Yorkshire Post as saying "...Colony Collapse Disorder was caused by the varroa parasite. Pesticides were a separate problem..." (http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/farming-news/Insecticide-ban-plea-to-help.4558542.jp)

Many beekeepers consider that the BBKA's financial relationship with Bayer and Syngenta effectively prevents them from fulfilling their prime function as guardians of the interests of bees and beekeeping.

Now the BBKA appears to be planning to extend its endorsement of bee-killing pesticides, by becoming a rubber-stamping body for Bayer, with no requirement for independent testing - merely a review of the manufacturer's own data. You can read the full text of their proposals here http://www.biobees.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=13413#13413

Considering that complete severance of financial ties to pesticide manufacturers could be replaced only a £1 increase in membership fees, it seems remarkable that a national body claiming to act in the best interests of its membership would compromise their integrity so readily and so cheaply.

Bayer is one of the most untrustworthy corporations on the planet, with a record that would shame the most hardened criminal (see their Wikipedia entry, just for starters), yet one of the oldest and once respected beekeepers' organizations thinks that 'taking their word for it' is an acceptable way to assess Bayer's toxic products.

We call upon all beekeepers to make their views on this subject known to the BBKA.

You can send them an email using this form http://www.britishbee.org.uk/contact-hq.php

or perhaps you would like to send the BBKA president, Tim Lovett, a personal message? If so, here is his email address - tjl@dermapharm.co.uk

And - just to be fair - my email address is phil@biobees.com

Phil Chandler
www.biobees.com

Also see:

http://www.bayer-kills-bees.com
http://www.britishbeekeeping.com

"I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . Corporations have been enthroned, an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money-power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until the wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed."
(Origin unknown, often attributed to Abraham Lincoln)


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[biobee]

Sir:

To sell your soul to Bayer, the people that are helping to cause your bees in Great Britain to be quickly heading towards extinction is incredibly stupid ! And all for a few pounds from these people who are helping to poison the whole planet ??? Selling your soul to the devil eh ?

As we say here in your former colonies, "That's like putting the fox in charge of your chicken house" !!!!! Can't you people at BBKA use your head for something other then a hat rack ?"

Al Needham [ Boston, Massachusetts, USA- the people who threw your tea in our harbor three hundred years ago or so ago! ]
Learn About Honey Bees, Health Benefits
Of Honey & Becoming A Beekeeper
http://www.Bees-Online.com
http://www.BeginningBeekeeping.com

[biobee]

Read the history of BBKA's dealings with agri-chem sponsorship here http://www.moraybeekeepers.co.uk/N&Views/Durham.htm

Is commercial sponsorship against the BBKA constitution? You decide - http://www.britishbee.org.uk/files/BBKA-Constitution-13Jan2007.pdf

[Mikebee]

I written and sent my letter to Tim Lovett. I hope he and the BBKA receive a lot more especially from BBKA members.

[Mikebee]

BBKA Annual Delegates Meeting 2009 - your chance to influence BBKA policy.

If you are a member of the BBKA through your club or association then there is apparently still time to give your club /association rep. an ear bashing. Let them know how you feel about all this. The meeting will be held in early January and will set policy and objectives for the year.

Phil, have you seen that the members proposition from Twickenham and Thames Valley is;

"That BBKA shall not remove material from web forums and other similar media except by reason of it becoming obsolete or being defamatory, obscene or otherwise unlawful."

Interesting. You might be allowed back and not be deleted.

[biobee]