The writer interviewed only the man doing the complaining. A one-source, one-voice article isn't much use. He did not ask the complainant to provide any evidence that Monsanto and the state were "in bed together." What does that mean, exactly? Can you show me how you came to that conclusion? Nor did he attempt to contact the state of Illinois. Thus we have only the complainant's word that the state took his beehives without legal authority to do so. I'm not saying the state DIDN'T do that. But a spokesperson should have been contacted to see if due notice were given. For example, perhaps the state called or sent letters that the beekeeper ignored. The article should also have explained the legal process is to remove potentially disease-infested hives. Not everyone agrees with the man's assessment that the impact of foulbrood disease is "greatly overblown." http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/disorders/bacterial.html "AFB is the most serious bacterial disease of honey bee brood and is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. The disease is transferred and initiated only by the spore stage of the bacterium. The reason this disease is so serious is that the spores can remain viable and last indefinitely on beekeeping equipment. It is extremely contagious and spreads easily on contaminated equipment, hive tools, and beekeeper’s hands. "AFB is regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and infected colonies are normally burned by state inspectors. ... The spores of the AFB bacterium are extremely persistent in contaminated comb and hive parts. Although resistant bee colonies may clean up visible signs of infestation, it is more typical for AFB to be incurable and essentially doom the colony. "Beekeepers should never maintain 'hospital yards' in which they group AFB colonies together in isolation. Such yards simply serve as reservoirs of disease that will serve to contaminate apiaries for miles around. It is equally inadvisable to treat infected colonies with Terramycin. The antibiotic will simply obscure visible signs of the disease, but the symptoms will rapidly recur once the antibiotic is removed."
Thanks for the comment. Thanks for keeping me on my toes. However, if you read the second link in my blog, you will see the state of IL was contacted. There is court evidence of what transpired. The state broke the rules by transporting the bees. He was never contacted. Did you read the second link. It does not appear you did from your comments. However, if you did and still maintain that not all sides have spoken, feel free to comment again with your response.
The reason I included the second link was to give a more rounded story. If, in fact, the offended beekeeper did lie, and the article is false, I am sure there were repercussions.
How I posted just now is beyond me--hit the wrong key I suppose, but that's what happens when typing lying down.
My computer is slow as molasses and I cannot get the second link to open. However, the link did come from the first article cited.
This man is a reputable person, having been responsible for helping save the bald eagle. No, I have not checked out that fact. He is selling no honey since his discovery of disease in his hives. He is using the opportunity to try and figure out Colony Collapse Disorder. I suppose we all have to decide who we will believe.
I as attempting to give a fair assessment from the information given in the second link. I won't be contacting anyone. Maybe you can give us a better assessment of the situation. I would welcome any corrections to or corroboration of the information.
If have to choose between Monsanto telling us the truth or some person who is opposing them with "facts," I choose not to believe Monsanto.
So, I am looking forward to further information you can find on this issue of bee stealing.
All sources I have found said only young bees are affected by "foul brood." The woman who diagnosed this was doing it by sight only, in fall when the diagnosis should have been "chill brood." Well, that was the contention of the second article. There is no way to confirm this disease on sight. Testing must be done.
Oh, by the way, why would uga be the authority on bees? Many beekeeping associations are not following the "official" rules and having much success with beekeeping. They have found a better way, just like people who keep chickens in their backyard and don't follow the official rules for handling and care of chickens.
If I am wrong, please let me and my readers know. Thanks for caring and commenting with such a well-thought out response.
I've done a lot of research and blogging on Monsanto. I am convinced that Monsanto is about as evil as any corporation can be. They have destroyed the lives of farmer, contaminated organic farms and have been banned in several countries.
I also agree with you Linda. The fact is, Monsano contributes to many a campaign- not just in Illinois obviously and that's a matter of public record.
We know about foulbrood because neighboring hives had it last fall. Our hives have not been infected nor has a larger apiary nearby. It's not " over blown" as a concern. But that poor choice of wording is not really enough to discredit the article.
The real concern for me is that it seems most of this was done without a warrant of any kind. I can't open tne page but there is a followup story about the court date over t te seond link you provided. Might be more info there?
I am not in IL, nor am I a bee expert. I just thought the second link explained it all with the court records. However, I do welcome anyone telling me it is not as it seems in the article.
The writer interviewed only the man doing the complaining. A one-source, one-voice article isn't much use.
ReplyDeleteHe did not ask the complainant to provide any evidence that Monsanto and the state were "in bed together." What does that mean, exactly? Can you show me how you came to that conclusion?
Nor did he attempt to contact the state of Illinois. Thus we have only the complainant's word that the state took his beehives without legal authority to do so.
I'm not saying the state DIDN'T do that. But a spokesperson should have been contacted to see if due notice were given. For example, perhaps the state called or sent letters that the beekeeper ignored.
The article should also have explained the legal process is to remove potentially disease-infested hives.
Not everyone agrees with the man's assessment that the impact of foulbrood disease is "greatly overblown."
http://www.ent.uga.edu/bees/disorders/bacterial.html
"AFB is the most serious bacterial disease of honey bee brood and is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae. The disease is transferred and initiated only by the spore stage of the bacterium. The reason this disease is so serious is that the spores can remain viable and last indefinitely on beekeeping equipment. It is extremely contagious and spreads easily on contaminated equipment, hive tools, and beekeeper’s hands.
"AFB is regulated by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and infected colonies are normally burned by state inspectors. ... The spores of the AFB bacterium are extremely persistent in contaminated comb and hive parts. Although resistant bee colonies may clean up visible signs of infestation, it is more typical for AFB to be incurable and essentially doom the colony. "Beekeepers should never maintain 'hospital yards' in which they group AFB colonies together in isolation. Such yards simply serve as reservoirs of disease that will serve to contaminate apiaries for miles around. It is equally inadvisable to treat infected colonies with Terramycin. The antibiotic will simply obscure visible signs of the disease, but the symptoms will rapidly recur once the antibiotic is removed."
Thanks for the comment. Thanks for keeping me on my toes. However, if you read the second link in my blog, you will see the state of IL was contacted. There is court evidence of what transpired. The state broke the rules by transporting the bees. He was never contacted. Did you read the second link. It does not appear you did from your comments. However, if you did and still maintain that not all sides have spoken, feel free to comment again with your response.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I included the second link was to give a more rounded story. If, in fact, the offended beekeeper did lie, and the article is false, I am sure there were repercussions.
How I posted just now is beyond me--hit the wrong key I suppose, but that's what happens when typing lying down.
DeleteMy computer is slow as molasses and I cannot get the second link to open. However, the link did come from the first article cited.
This man is a reputable person, having been responsible for helping save the bald eagle. No, I have not checked out that fact. He is selling no honey since his discovery of disease in his hives. He is using the opportunity to try and figure out Colony Collapse Disorder. I suppose we all have to decide who we will believe.
I as attempting to give a fair assessment from the information given in the second link. I won't be contacting anyone. Maybe you can give us a better assessment of the situation. I would welcome any corrections to or corroboration of the information.
ReplyDeleteIf have to choose between Monsanto telling us the truth or some person who is opposing them with "facts," I choose not to believe Monsanto.
So, I am looking forward to further information you can find on this issue of bee stealing.
All sources I have found said only young bees are affected by "foul brood." The woman who diagnosed this was doing it by sight only, in fall when the diagnosis should have been "chill brood." Well, that was the contention of the second article. There is no way to confirm this disease on sight. Testing must be done.
Oh, by the way, why would uga be the authority on bees? Many beekeeping associations are not following the "official" rules and having much success with beekeeping. They have found a better way, just like people who keep chickens in their backyard and don't follow the official rules for handling and care of chickens.
If I am wrong, please let me and my readers know. Thanks for caring and commenting with such a well-thought out response.
I've done a lot of research and blogging on Monsanto. I am convinced that Monsanto is about as evil as any corporation can be. They have destroyed the lives of farmer, contaminated organic farms and have been banned in several countries.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Linda. Thank you.
Patty,
ReplyDeleteThanks. I feel the same way/
I also agree with you Linda. The fact is, Monsano contributes to many a campaign- not just in Illinois obviously and that's a matter of public record.
ReplyDeleteWe know about foulbrood because neighboring hives had it last fall. Our hives have not been infected nor has a larger apiary nearby. It's not " over blown" as a concern. But that poor choice of wording is not really enough to discredit the article.
The real concern for me is that it seems most of this was done without a warrant of any kind. I can't open tne page but there is a followup story about the court date over t te seond link you provided. Might be more info there?
I am not in IL, nor am I a bee expert. I just thought the second link explained it all with the court records. However, I do welcome anyone telling me it is not as it seems in the article.
ReplyDelete