From: "joel acheson" <joeljed@hotmail.com>
Date: Tue, 04 Jul 2001 20:07:52 -0000
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: AOS Apiculture section

>The minimum distance may be increased by the certification agent, if >deemed necessary, on a case by case basis.

comment
This needs to be modified. As it reads it gives a bureaucrat arbitrary and
dictatorial powers over any beek at any time. All that agent has to do is
"deem it necessary" and you're stuck. It should be qualified so that the
agent is required to meet some minimum standards which demonstrate a
legitimate need for a given case exception, and the beek should be given an avenue of appeal.

>1.1.3.2. Regular renewal of queen bees;

comment: what does this mean? Does it mean that if I happen to have an
exceptional queen, and want to keep her going for 2 or 3 seasons to get more daughters from her, that I can't do that?

>1.1.4.6. Wing clipping;

comment: I feel no need to clip wings, but why does it specifically need to
be outlawed? Some people apparently feel that this is a good swarm control
technique, and if it works for them, why should any one else care?

>1.1.5.3. Equipment which comes in contact with honey must be made of
>stainless steel, glass, or other food grade materials.

Comment: this is redundant. since stainless steel and glass are food grade
materials, they do not need to be specifically enumerated. Just say "must
be made of food grade materials".

Joel, putting in his 2 cents.