CATCH THE BUZZ - Honey Hucksters Guilty

This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping

Celebrate UrbanBees with Bee Culture and thedailygreen.com For details, visit www.thedailygreen.com/bee-photos.

 

---

CATCH THE BUZZ

Honey Importers Caught, Convicted and  to be Sentenced in November. A good day for U.S. Beekeepers

---

By Alan Harman

 Chinese executive Boa Zhong Zhang pleads guilty to conspiracy to smuggle goods into the United States by using false statements and to introducing adulterated foods into interstate commerce.

   The Seattle Times reports the plea agreement in U.S. District Court in Seattle means the vice president of Changge Jixiang Bee Products Ltd. in Henan, China, faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine when he is sentenced on Nov. 30.

   Still facing trial are  Chung Po Liu of Bellevue, 68, owner of Rainier Cascade and Evergreen Produce, and Yong Xiang Yan, 60, board chairman of the Chinese honey company.

---

Find out What’s New At Mann Lake right Here

Protein feeding pays off with better bee health, better survival, better production, and better wintering.  Learn More.

---

Investigators say they mislabeled honey containing three antibiotics as coming from other countries to avoid antidumping tariffs.

 

   A U.S. Department of Justice statement says Boa Zhong Zhang was accused of rerouting 21 shipments of Chinese honey worth $1.6 million to avoid $3.3 million in punitive antidumping tariffs. The honey was shipped from China to the Philippines or Thailand, where it was relabeled and sent on to the U.S.

   One shipment in January 2008 is believed to have been contaminated with ciproflaxin -- an antibiotic sometimes sold under the trade name Cipro.

   “Submission of false customs documentation to avoid paying tariffs defrauds not only the U.S. government, but the public who is unaware of the scheme and unwittingly purchases the products,” U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Special Agent-in-Charge Leigh Winchell says in a statement.

---

Subscribe to Malcolm Sanford’s Apis Newsletter right here

For a comprehensive listing of beekeeping events around the country and around the globe, check out Bee Culture’s Global Beekeeping Calendar

 

 

CATCH THE BUZZ - Country Of Origin Honey Label Means Business

CATCH THE BUZZ

USDA Revises Regulations to Include Country of Origin Labeling of Honey

Comments Accepted Through September 8, 2009

By American Beekeeping Federation News

---

---

---

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is establishing a new regulation addressing country of origin labeling for packed honey bearing any official USDA mark or statement, such as U.S. Grade A.

---

Find out What’s New At Mann Lake right Here

---

The 2008 Farm Bill requires that packaged honey bearing any combination of USDA marks or statements must also display the name or names of the one or more countries of origin of the lot or container of honey so that the name or names are legible, permanently in close proximity to the USDA marks or statement -- such as on the same side(s) or surface(s), of a comparable size to the USDA marks or statements, and are preceded by the words "Product of" or other words of similar meaning.

---

Subscribe to Malcolm Sanford’s Apis Newsletter right here

---

To allow the industry to clear the market of labels that do not comply with the new rules, this interim final rule becomes effective October 6, 2009. The rule was published in the July 8, 2009, Federal Register.

---

Celebrate UrbanBees with Bee Culture and thedailygreen.com For details, visit www.thedailygreen.com/bee-photos.

---

Written comments must be received by September 8, 2009, and should be sent to:

Chere L. Shorter
Processed Products Branch
Fruit and Vegetable Programs
Agricultural Marketing Service
USDA
Stop

0247
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-0247

You can also e-mail to chere.shorter@usda.gov or fax your comments to 202-690-1527.

Copies of the Federal Register notice are available and comments may be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov - enter keyword AMS-FV-08-0075.

A violation of the new requirements may be deemed by the Secretary of Agriculture to be sufficient cause for debarment from inspection and certification of honey.

For more information, contact chere.shorter@ams.usda.gov or call 202-720-4693.

---

Meanwhile, The ABF also released this today, regarding their new web site...take a look.

 

ABF Unveils New, Enhanced Web Site

 The American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) is pleased to announce the launch of the new and improved ABF Web site at abfnet.org.

The ABF has been working on a Web site design that will serve as the industry standard and is the key resource for beekeeping contacts, industry communications, and legislative news and updates. With its fresh navigation and improved functionality, the new site is focused on user friendliness for both ABF members and the public.

The enhanced Web site will now allow ABF members to log-in with an assigned username and password. This log-in feature enables members to:

• Renew their membership online and maintain an up-to-date membership profile

• Access exclusive, member-only content

• Register online for the 2010 North American Beekeeping Conference & Tradeshow, Jan. 12-16, 2010, in Orlando, Fla.

• Donate online to the ABF and the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees

 

The site also affords non-members the opportunity to learn more about the activities and initiatives of the ABF, as well as the online capability to join the organization in a few easy steps.

Questions regarding the site or ABF membership can be directed to Kari Freeland, ABF membership coordinator, at 404.760.2875 or via e-mail at mailto:karifreeland@abfnet.org.

---

This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping

CATCH THE BUZZ - U.S. Honey Produer Board Comments

CATCH THE BUZZ

USDA Seeks Comments on Proposed U.S. Honey Producer Board

Comments Accepted Through September 14, 2009

Release from American Beekeeping Federation

---

---

---

The proposed Board would be responsible for carrying out activities intended to strengthen the position of U.S. honey in the marketplace, developing, maintaining and expand existing markets, and enhancing the image of domestic honey.  The proposed order would be administered by a seven-member board.

---

Find out What’s New At Mann Lake right Here

---

Only producers of U.S. honey would pay an assessment of 2 cents per pound of domestic honey produced. A producer who produces less than 100,000 pounds of U.S. honey per year would be eligible for a certificate of exemption.

---

Protein feeding pays off with better bee health, better survival, better production, and better wintering.  Learn More.

---

It is seen by proponents as a counterpart to the National Honey Board, which is funded and controlled by packers and importers and promotes imported as well as domestic honey.

---

For a comprehensive listing of beekeeping events around the country and around the globe, check out Bee Culture’s Global Beekeeping Calendar

---

Subscribe to Malcolm Sanford’s Apis Newsletter right here

Celebrate UrbanBees with Bee Culture and thedailygreen.com For details, visit www.thedailygreen.com/bee-photos.

---

The proposed rule was published in the July 14, 2009, Federal Register, along with a proposed rule on the procedures to be used in the referendum to determine if the program will go into effect.  Comments on both rules must be received by September 14, 2009.

 Interested parties are invited to submit written comments on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, or mail them, in triplicate, to:

Research and Promotion Branch
Fruit and Vegetable Programs
AMS
USDA
Stop

0244
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington, DC 20250-0244

You can also call 888-720-9917 or fax your comments to 202-205-2800.

Copies of the proposed rule and any comments that are received may be requested from the same address or viewed at www.ams.usda.gov/FVPromotion (see also: Federal Register Notices). They are also available at www.regulations.gov - enter keyword AMS-FV-07-0091.

---

This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping

 

CATCH THE BUZZ - SUGAR AT 28 YEAR HIGH PRICE

CATCH THE BUZZ

So What’s With The Price Of Sugar?

---

---

---

Maybe you’ve noticed. The price of table sugar has changed. It’s at a 28 year high right now, and folks aren’t at all confident it will go down soon. USDA expects sugar supplies to drop by 43% over the next year.

Analysts aren’t worried about empty supermarket shelves, but some sugar users are clamoring for a reduction in sugar trade barriers. U.S. sugar users pay, or paid, just about double the world price of sugar, to protect the U.S. sugar producers from cheap imports. But high world prices now pretty much negate that tariff. U.S. beekeepers can’t complain a lot about this, I imagine, because they have the same plan in place to protect the price of American honey. Many major U.S. sugar users were able to buy futures at lower prices a bit ago so the current increase won’t be seen for some time from some supp liers, while some sugar sellers are arguing that in reality there isn’t a shortage at all, and there’s plenty to go around.

---

Find out What’s New at Mann Lake, Here

---

But the shortage, or shortage story can be traced to the two main sugar producers in the world, India and Brazil. They have both had adverse weather for sugar production this season. India, the second largest producer hasn’t had enough rain this season, thus hasn’t been able to produce enough sugar to meet internal demands and will be a net importer this year, reducing world supply.  Brazil, the largest producer has had too much rain and hasn’t been able to harvest their crop, and what has been harvested has a reduced sucrose content. Thus, world demand will exceed production by about 5 million tons, according to some experts. This after a 7.8 million ton deficit this year. T his will result in a raw sugar price at about 20 - 25 cents/pound for the remainder of the year, according to a Reuters India report.

---

Protein feeding pays off with better bee health, better survival, better production, and better wintering.  Learn More.

---

Kraft and General Mills believe that the U.S. will virtually run out of sugar, but new markets and suppliers should surface due to a 91 percent year to date price increase, perhaps. This supply/demand issue also reflects the fact that sugar prices were depressed last year, resulting in fewer acres being planted this year, so the exact ability of other suppliers to fill gaps remains an unknown. And the role of beet sugar is still cloudy. And meanwhile, some sugar is committed to the ethanol industry, while HFCS will probably see a firming of markets due to this shortage, but what role the health industry will play remains to be seen.

---

For a comprehensive listing of beekeeping events around the country and around the globe, check out Bee Culture’s Global Beekeeping Calendar

 

Subscribe to Malcolm Sanford’s Apis Newsletter right here

---

Benefiting from higher sugar prices, according to a Gerson-Lehman Group report will be marketers of imports in Brazil including Bunge Ltd., Monsanto, DuPont, Syngenta and Bayer. Producers and traders and sugar beet industry members like Tate and Lyle, ED&F Man, C&H Sugar, American Crystal, Minn-Dak Farmers Coop, Pfeifer & Langen, Cargil, ADM and others. This will also put less pressure on HFCS sellers to keep prices low, so ADM, Cargill and others will benefit there, also. Those hurt?  Major candy and ice cream companies, Marrs, Nestle and Unilver, Kraft, General Mills, Interstate Bakeries and Gold Medal bakeries among others.

---

Celebrate UrbanBees with Bee Culture and thedailygreen.com For details, visit www.thedailygreen.com/bee-photos.

---

Analysts expect prices to remain high for at least one more growing season, so supply may improve by then, but the weather bats last.

---

This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping

 

 

 

CATCH THE BUZZ - EMAIL ERROR FOR DAN

CATCH THE BUZZ

Error In Email Address

---

---

It happens, especially on Monday mornings...Please send your UrbanBees Photos and story to

Dan Shapley at

Dshapley@hearst.com

The week should begin on Tuesday...

Sorry Dan, and sorry for the confusion.

CATCH THE BUZZ - CELEBRATE URBAN BEES!

CATCH THE BUZZ

Help Us Celebrate Urban Bees, and Urban Beekeepers

---

---

---

Bee Culture Magazine and www.thedailygreen.com want to celebrate the incredible explosion of City Beekeepers. We want all urban dwellers with beehives and beesuits, with hive tools and smokers, with supers and covers and frames galore to stand and be counted, to be recognized and noticed. We want everyone that uses five frame, eight frame, ten frame or top bar hives to raise their hands to the sky and shout! We want every and all of America’s backyard, roof top, window box, fire escape, empty lot, and anywhere else in the city honey makers to join the hive and let the world know you’re alive. Let’s get everyone with every hive, in every large or small, crowded or sparse asphalt landscape around the towns and the cities, the suburbs and gardens of America’s everywhere and anywhere to share what they do, show what they grow, and feel pride in their work, their passion and their hobby. It’s no matter if you just started out or are already seasoned in city bees. And if it’s not Kosher to keep bees where you are, we won’t tell, we won’t share because we don’t care…we want the world to know there are thousands who are working to make the bees at home. Thousands who want only the bees, only the peace, only the gentle gift of helping things grow. Thousands who are part of the larger citybee community. Thousands!

 

If this is you, if this is your time, send us a photo, a gift to share with those who share with you , and especially those who haven't yet but want to. Send a high quality photo, 50 or so well chosen words about your specific, or general location and operation…depending on you and your neighbors and the law of the land where you are. We need contact information so we can get back to you (an email is just fine) if there’s a question so we get it right the first time. Please send all this to Dan Shapley, the Editor and web and guru at thedailygreen.com at dshpaley@hearst.com. He’s a whiz at making all this work. When you send your photos and descriptions, you give The Daily Green and Bee Culture the right to publish the material and share it with its partners. For details, visit www.thedailygreen.com/bee-photos.

It’s time for the bees. Help us show what you do and how you do it. It’s only for those who have, and those who want bees. Join the Community of UrbanBees. Be part of the Revolution. UrbanBees Now!

---

This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping

 

 

CATCH THE BUZZ - BOY SCOUTS GO DIGITAL

CATCH THE BUZZ

Boy Scouts Of America Hop Aboard Technology Movement, Leave Beekeeping Behind

Originally printed at http://www.kauz.com/news/local/53253857.html

---

---

---

Mike Mitchell earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1997 and spent most of his adult life working for Boy Scouts of America. He says the scouts helped shape who he is today.

---

Find out What’s New at Mann Lake, Here

---

"I believe I'd still be a good guy, but probably not as well rounded as I am today.  I defintely owe a lot to scouting." says Mitchell.

---

Protein feeding pays off with better bee health, better survival, better production, and better wintering.  Learn More.

---

And every scout owes a lot to the Boy Scout handbook, but it may be looking a lot different in the future. Many say the Boy Scout handbook is more than just a book, it's a guide to life.  In the book you find information about first aid, building a shelter and making a fire, but starting in September, all the information in this book will be available on your iPhone.

---

For a comprehensive listing of beekeeping events around the country and around the globe, check out Bee Culture’s Global Beekeeping Calendar

---

Subscribe to Malcolm Sanford’s Apis Newsletter right here

---

"It's definitely a sign of the times...you look in there and there are things like map and compass that has always been big with the scouts...land navigation and now we're getting interest in GPS devices." Mitchell continues.

The scouts also update merit badges every year.

"Composite study, nuclear science...of course, they replace stuff like beekeeping, book binding...things that we dont...maybe not that we don't have a need for it but we don't do a lot of it."

But there is a lot of information in the handbook that will never change.

"95% of everything that is in there 30 years ago, 40 years ago...probably 90% of it is still the same."

"Next year, we've been around 100 years, pretty much the values and the mission statement are still the same."

---

This message brought to you by Bee Culture, The Magazine Of American Beekeeping