Monsanto Loses to Beekeepers of Yucatan Peninsula

Beekeepers have succeeded in preventing, through two suspensions obtained in amparo (specialized protection), the seeding of transgenic soy for 253,500 hectares in Campeche, Quintana Roo, Yucatan, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and Chiapas. 59 organizations of beekeepers, environmentalists, and NGO´s have maintained that the amparos (or protections) granted by the second district court of Campeche, are setting a precedent to continue demanding the definitive suspension of permits that have been issued by SAGARPA to Monsanto. The organizations added in their press release communication that they will not cease in their fight for production that is free of transgenic interference. They have been encouraged greatly by the recent Felipe Carrillo Puerto council, which approved the initiative to declare its territory a “GMO-free zone”. The Felipe Carrillo Puerto council ruling signifies that the judges of Chiapas, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan have resolved in favor of the organizations that presented the initiative. The producers interested in the seeding of transgenic soybeans “are at risk when investing in such cultivation, as there is now a strong opposition and legal and political struggle that this country be declared a GMO-free zone” stated the press communication. During a reunion at SAGARPA, Simon Treviño Alcantara, director general of the Fomento a la Agricultura, assured that this year there will be no planting of transgenic soybean. He insisted that this seeding would affect close to 25 thousand families that survive in the agricultural sector. Alcantara mentioned that European businesses have suspended the purchase of honey from Yucatan and Quintana Roo until they have evidence that the product is free of transgenic organisms. Environmental groups, women, and community development organizations in Chiapas reiterated their rejection of transgenic planting of 30,000 hectares in the municipalities of Acacoyagua, Acapetahua, Cacahotan, Escuintla, Frontera Hidalgo, Huehuetan, Huixtla, Mazatan, Metapa, Suchiapa, Suchiate, Tapachula, Tuxtla Chico, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Tuzantan, Villa Comaltitilan, and Villaflores, as most of these areas are near protected natural zones. The environmental groups argued that Monsanto sells to farmers who plant the transgenic soybean a required herbicide, Roundup Ready, whose formula contains glyphosate, a chemical that when dissolved in water damages plants, animals, and people. Beekeepers blame, Juan Elvira Quesada, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), in evading its responsibility in the approval of GM seed, this organization has the ability to issue an opinion to the SAGARPA binding so the institution can issue a final and negative decision to plant GM crops.

NATIONAL HONEY BEE DAY! TODAY AUGUST 18th

http://www.nationalhoneybeeday.com/2012nhbdparticipants.html National Honey Bee Day 2012: August 18th. Make plans now to participate! The 2012 Theme: "Sustainable Agriculture Starts with Honey Bees!" ************************** We Welcome You To The National Honey Bee Day Website. The primary goals of the National Honey Bee Day Program include: 1) Promotion and advancement of beekeeping. 2) Educate the public about honey bees and beekeeping. 3) Make the public aware of environmental concerns as they effect honey bees. ********************************************************************* ********************************************************************* Important Message to Beekeepers, Bee Groups, and the Public: While great strides have been made in recent years in getting ordinances passed allowing beekeepeing once again in many parts of the country, there are also ongoing efforts in some locations trying to ban or severly restrict beekeeping elsewhere. Building support within your own community is as important as ever in the bee industry. Invite key local politicians such as the mayor, township supervisors, zoning board members, and state politicians to your National Honey Bee Day event. Build bridges, and connect with others who could possibly help in the future. The bee industry, and your local bee community, can benefit greatly from connecting with others and getting more educated in beekeeping. Get Involved. Be proactive...not reactive! Help Support National Honey Bee Day. Consider purchasing wildflower seeds for the 2012 season to help the honey bees, native pollinators, and the environment. Click here for more details. The National Honey Bee Day program started with a simple concept. Bring together beekeepers, bee associations, as well as other interested groups to connect with the communities to advance beekeeping. By working together and harnessing the efforts that so many already accomplish, and using a united effort one day a year, the rewards and message is magnified many times over. We encourage bee associations, individuals, and other groups to get involved. The program is free and open to all. Sponsor and Contributors The National Honey Bee Day program operates and is funded by the generosity of our sponsors and contributors. Please check out our sponsors page, and patronize the businesses that are helping to make this program a success all across the country. Latest addition to the website: What NOT to do if you find honey bees. See the video link on the News and Events page. click here. Please help save the honey bees. SEEKING LOGO ARTWORK! PennApic and the National Honey Bee Day program is seeking submissions for logo artwork and graphics to be used for marketing and promotional use. We would like to support an inspiring graphic artist or individual who would like to add to their portfolio by helping out a nonprofit association while getting national exposure. We would like something that is unique, easily recognizable, and used exclusively by PennApic and the NHBD program. If this interests you, please contact me by clicking here. Thank you. The honey bee industry needs your help and support. Some of the pages listed on this website are intended to educate the public on issues, and steps we can take to help the honey bee. National Honey Bee Day may be one day per year, but the care of the environment to which the bees reside, takes a year long commitment. We encourage all to become good stewards of the environment through practical and commonsense approaches. All authorized programs and fund raising efforts are listed on this site. If you have questions about a particular program or questionable fund raising, please notify us as soon as possible. Thank you. Ridgecrest Ca., had thier first NHBD event in 2011, which was packed with excited folks eager to learn more about honeybees. Thank you for the efforts of Dave Jester for making this happen. **************************************************** We are hard at work planning the next National Honey Bee Day program scheduled for August 18, 2012 Beekeepers: Please visit the 2012 participants page. If you do not see your bee association listed, please contact your association officers. If you have no association in your area, we encourage individuals to get involved. If you or your association wants to host a National Honey Bee Day program, click here. Friends of Honey Bees: If you are not a beekeeper, please support the closest bee association or participating National Honey Bee Day program. We encourage you to support local agriculture markets, and enjoy local honey varietals. Please consider making a donation to the overall NHBD program. Your contributions will support programs by allowing us to provide educational material to schools, environmental centers, and programs across the country. This website has information on getting started in bees, how homeowners can help the bees, and information useful for giving a bee talk to a classroom or group of visitors. Please feel free to use any of the information. It is posted for your use and benefit. The National Honey Bee Day program operates and is administered under the nonprofit listing and status of Pennsylvania Apiculture Inc., adhering to all laws and guidelines of a 501c and filed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The National Honey Bee Day program is always striving to build upon the existing program and expand our outreach while moving forward. We value feedback and constructive comments. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any suggestions or questions. Counter Since 9-24-10