This time Beekeepers won!

Calif. regs allow beekeeping near citrus groves

FRESNO, Calif. - California growers of mandarin oranges are disappointed by a state agency's proposed regulations that don't force commercial bee hives to stay away from their groves.

After nearly two years of negotiations, the California Department of Food and Agriculture said Wednesday that growers and beekeepers should work out disputes on their own.

Beekeepers won't be forced to move.....

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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29391895/

This is good news for people who like honey, bad news for people who don't like seeds in their citrus. - Millet (1,422-)

Could you please explain? How do the bees cause seeds? I understand it has to do with pollination, but how? Cross pollination? I see so few bees anymore, I welcome their presence around my plants.

There are several articles that I have posted in the past about the issue of the bees, sex and seediness of citruses.

http://cesandiego.ucdavis.edu/files/16892.pdf


Millet has also mentioned that fruit sets can occur in the stigma to stigma chemical transfer by the bees even without the need for pollination and could result in the seedlessness of navels and other citruses.

Thank you. I remember seeing that document before. I will have to reread when I have more time.

California growers of mandarin oranges are disappointed by a state agency's proposed regulations that don't force commercial bee hives to stay away from their groves.

I rather doubt this is the end of the matter. It'll end up in court.

.....Alan.

In Spain, it is strictly illegal to place a bee hive within 2 miles of any Clementine grove. Clementine's are a large export for Spanish citrus growers, and of course, their customers want to purchase only seedless fruit. - Millet (1,419-)

California citrus industry challenges bee rules

By Dawn Withers

(March 6, 9:40 a.m.) Regulations from the California Department of Food and Agriculture allow citrus growers to know the location of nearby beehives — but industry officials say that falls short of ensuring certain citrus varieties will remain seedless.

“It basically contains the status quo, and the status quo has not been working,” said Joel Nelsen, president of Exeter-based California Citrus Mutual, which represents about 2,000 growers.

Nelsen said there are about 28,000 acres of seedless citrus in California and many are at risk of pollination by bees, resulting in seeded fruit.

“Our industry is still subject to cross-pollination,” Nelsen said.

The CDFA regulations allow growers to register for a list of nearby hives to work with beekeepers to find another location. Beekeepers, however, do not have to move their hives, according to the draft regulations. If the two parties cannot resolve a dispute, the county agricultural commissioner can issue an advisory opinion on whether the beehives should be moved, and where.

The regulations apply in Kern, Tulare, Fresno and Madera counties in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

Beekeepers are required to register the location of their hives with county agricultural commissioners.

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http://thepacker.com/icms/_dtaa2/content/wrapper.asp?alink=2009-9420-680.asp&stype=topstory&author=Dawn+Withers#