Latest News
U.S. Honey Producers Disapprove Referendum
Only Forty-One Percent of Eligible Voters Favored Implementation
During a recent referendum conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, honey producers elected to disapprove a new national U.S Honey Producer Research, Promotion, and Consumer Information Order. The order failed because only 41 percent of those who voted – representing 52 percent of the volume of U.S. honey – favored its implementation.
ABF Joins Industry in Transshipment and Adulteration Fight
Places Spotlight on Problems Associated with Honey Imports from China
The ABF has joined with American Honey Producers Association and National Honey Packers and Dealers Association in filing statements for two Congressional hearings related to trade. In the nearly identical statements, the industry group drew attention to the problems associated with honey imports from China.
Sen. Schumer Draws Media Attention to China Honey Trade
Senator Expresses Concerns Over Lack of National Standard of Identity
A statement released by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) has drawn the attention of multiple media outlets to the issue of "honey laundering" relative to honey imports from China. In a statement released in conjunction with his appearance before a hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) on June 9, 2010, Schumer called on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on "honey launderers."
Pollinator Flight to Front Stage
4th Annual National Pollinator Week, June 21-27, Brings Action Across the Land
Washington, D.C., June 18, 2010 — Members of both parties of the U.S. House of Representatives announced today the formation of the first Congressional Pollinator Protection Caucus (CP2C) urging colleagues to join them in preserving pollinators. CP2C plans to ensure that accurate information is available to legislators and staff across a broad spectrum of land issues. Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL) and Rep. Tim Johnson (R-IL) are co-chairing CP2C and are launching the caucus as part of National Pollinator Week. A “Dear Colleague” letter signed by the co-chairs and other founding members is being sent to fellow members of Congress to encourage their participation in the caucus.
USDA News & Notes
USDA Provides Emergency Assistance to Producers of Honeybees, Livestock and Farm-Raised Fish
More Than $6 Million to Compensate Beekeepers for 2008 Losses
Washington, D.C., June 30, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that disaster assistance will be issued starting today to livestock, honeybee and farm-raised fish producers that suffered losses in 2008 because of disease, adverse weather or other conditions. The aid will come from the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-Raised Fish Program (ELAP).
Notice of Availability of a Draft Pest Risk Assessment on Honey Bees Imported from Australia
ABF Members Encouraged to Review and Provide Comment
A USDA-APHIS assessment of the risk the importation of Australian honey bees pose to U.S. honey bees is available for your study. The ABF encourages members to read the assessment and make their views known to APHIS. Directions on submitting comments can be found in the Federal Register notice. The stated deadline is May 14, 2010, but an APHIS official has said informally: "There will be no problem with us accepting your comments after the date listed in the Notice."
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