Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/5933
GRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — Conservation groups and scientists want federal agricultural author- ities to start regulating shipments of commercial- ly domesticated bumble- bees — used to pollinate crops — to protect wild bumblebees from diseases threatening their survival. The groups said Tues- day that four species of bumblebees once common in the United States have seen drastic declines — and the evidence points to diseases spreading out of greenhouses that use domesticated bumblebees. ''This is the tip of the iceberg,'' said Scott Hoff- man Black, executive director of the Xerces Society, an insect conser- vation group based in Portland. ''Bumblebees need to be regulated or we may see other diseases spread to bumblebees and potentially other bees.'' Besides pollinating wild plants, bumblebees are responsible for polli- nating about 15 percent of all the crops grown in the U.S., worth $3 billion. Demand has been growing as supplies of honeybees decline, especially for hot- house crops such as toma- toes, peppers and straw- berries, and field crops such as blueberries, cran- berries, raspberries, squash and watermelon. Federal regulation is needed because while some states, like Oregon, prohibit importation of bumblebees, others, such as Washington and Cali- fornia, allow it, Black said. Two European compa- nies produce commercial bumblebee hives sold in the US: Koppert Biologi- cal Systems Inc., of the Netherlands, and Biobest Biological Systems of Bel- gium. Telephone calls to Koppert's office in Canada and Biobest's office in Michigan were not imme- diately returned. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service was reviewing the petition and had no immediate response, spokesman Larry Hawkins said in an e-mail. The Xerces Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, Defend- ers of Wildlife and Univer- sity of California, Davis entomologist Robbin Thorp formally petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Animal and Plant Health Inspec- tion service. They want to prohibit shipping commer- cially domesticated bum- blebees and hives outside their native range, and to certify that domesticated bumblebees are disease free. The petition cited steep declines in recent years of the Franklin's and Western bumblebee in the West, and the rusty-patched and yellow-banded bumblebee in the East. Nine prominent ento- mologists signed a letter in support of the petition. ''A major threat to the survival of these wild bumblebee pollinators is the spread of disease from commercially produced bees that are transported throughout the country,'' said the letter, signed by University of Kansas ento- mologist Charles Michen- er and others. Black said they wanted to work with federal authorities to control the spread of disease before taking the next step, seek- ing Endangered Species Act protection for the bumblebees. While research has yet to conclusively blame a specific disease shared with domesticated species, the petition cited studies showing domesticated bumblebees regularly escape greenhouses and one bee can infect another when they come in contact gathering pollen. Unlike honeybees, which came to North America with the Euro- pean colonists of the 17th century, bumblebees are natives. They collect pollen and nectar to feed to their young but make very little honey. 6A – Daily News – Wednesday, January 13, 2010 Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com Corning Calif. PRICE'S PHARMACY 1322 Solano St., Corning 530.824.3495 Fax 530.824.9227 "Your neighborhood pharmacy since 1952" We've got you covered • Healthcare Including Prescriptions & Non-Prescriptions • Wide Variety of Gifts, Cards & Picture Frames • We Deliver Locally Barbara Dimmick, Gift Buyer $ Money $ 2 Lend Cash 4 Notes McKinley Mortgage Co. CA DRE # 01773837 Call 530-241-0977 800-909-1977 Smog Check starting at $ 29 95 (most cars and pick-ups) Pass or FREE retest COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR + cert. All makes and models. We perform dealer recommened 30K, 60K, 90K SERVICES AT LOWER PRICES 527-9841 • 195 S. Main St. The Electric Man For all your electrical needs • New Outlets / 220 • Fans / Fixtures • Pools / Spas • Code Corrections • Troubleshooting • Panel Upgrade • Telephone Wiring 347-4441 $10.00 Customer Discount FREE Estimates License# 826543 645 Antelope Blvd. #1 in Frontier Village across from the fairgrounds. (530) 527-1420 Expires 1/17/10 For Breakfast $ 4 99 2 pancakes, 2 eggs, 2 bacon or sausage 7am-1:30pm $ 11 99 For Dinner 10 oz House Steak Soup & Salad Veggie & Choice of Potato reg. $6.99 reg. $13.99 ASK ABOUT DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS Please mention this ad when ordering. Plight of the bumblebee