From: Barry Birkey <barry@birkey.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Jun 2001 13:42:27 -0500
To: BioBee List <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: honey ad

Hi all -

Dee said:

"Also on another note. For those of you that can get a copy of Oprah
magazine "O" and turn to the center fold you will see a honey Ad. It is the
first attempt to establish an organic/biological price in this country for
what our honey in the USA and elsewhere in the world is really worth and
start raising prices for all."

The ad can be viewed here: http://beesource.com/O/

(That's a capital letter O, not the number.)

It appears that a battle is brewing behind the scenes regarding the new
organic standards. As these standards start to get formulated, comments made
and lines drawn, those with different interests begin to start voicing their
ideas and generally have a goal in keeping the standards from getting too
high where it could have an impact on their current way of doing business.

I have always held the ground that standards should be as high as possible
so as not to penalize those who can meet those highest standards. Our
economy has always worked on a system where we don't "dumb down" those on
top to make it "fair" for others, but instead, that premium product always
brings in the highest price as it is set apart from the rest. Capitalism, it
works. Of course no one wants to think their product is not the best, or as
good as someone else's. The whole reason there is another standard (organic)
is to set it apart from the rest, showing that there is a difference from
the rest. We need to make these differences known and hold the line. If I
can't attain the final standard, so be it. Those who can should reap a
greater return for their efforts and premium product. Not ever car is a BMW,
not ever car can bring the price a BMW does either.

The process for setting the standards has been derailed/detoured again and
those in leadership are again trying to figure out how to proceed with the
process. There is no reason for the tail to wag the dog. We (those actually
producing the product or working towards it) have an opportunity to discuss
and come up with our ideas of what the standard should be. We should be
willing to help formulate the new standards if wanted, but without
compromise.

I suggest we start taking line by line of the proposed standard that is now
posted, and hash it out between ourselves. Whether a committee heeds these
ideas or not, should not be of concern for in the end, the market place and
consumers will have the final say as they are independent of the laws and
rules that form the standard. If they know the difference between how you
attained your product from the other guys, they will be educated to make
their choice. If a new website needs to be created for organic honey, then
it shall be done.

Okay, fire back :>)

Regards,
Barry