| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| joanne |
Friends of the Bees launches Beekeeper InsuranceJust got this from Phil Chandler:Dear Beekeeper, We have finally succeeded in negotiating a great deal on Public Liability Insurance for beekeepers. This policy is designed to protect you to the tune of £5 million in the event of legal action being taken against you, with an excess of only £250. If you have hives on someone else's land, you may be required to have PLI cover - and even if your hives are on your own land, you may consider it sensible to have insurance cover in case someone is injured and makes a claim against you. The best news is that your cover is included free with Beekeeper Membership of Friends of the Bees at only £15 per year. See our new site at www.friendsofthebees.org for how to join. For the first time, UK beekeepers can get insurance cover without joining an organization that supports the pesticide industry! If you are outside the UK, you can still join Friends of the Bees as a Supporter. We hope we can interest people in other countries in the idea of setting up their own local 'Friends of the Bees', so we can become a truly international network. POLICY DISCUSSION We intend that Friends of the Bees will become a powerful voice for the interests of pollinators, on the principle that 'what is good for the bees is also good for us and the planet'. We will shortly be publishing a draft 'charter for bees' and would value your input. Please join in the discussion here - http://www.biobees.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=75383#75383 Best wishes Phil Chandler Director Friends of the Bees SUPPORT FOTB AND GET FREE CALLS FROM YOUR MOBILE There is a new, co-operatively-run mobile phone company called 'giffgaff' that offers exceptionally good rates and even free texts and calls to other users. You can get a free SIM and at the same time support Friends of the Bees (we get a £5 credit when someone starts to use giffgaff on our recommendation). Use the link below to find out more - http://email.giffgaff.com/r/?id=h29eb98b,369ab78a,369abb77&p1=beesontoast |
| joanne |
This is really good news because at the moment you can only get Beekeeper insurance through the BBKA - whilst I know many of us Beeks are members of various beekeeping associations, not all of us agree with the BBKA's stance on insecticides nor the massive wodge of cash they receive from Bayer each year |
| DawnMK |
Thanks for that  we are not members of the local Bee groups, we found them very snooty and when we set up they were not happy that we started with a bought in nuculas, they accuseed us of bringing ing desiea etc, so we didnt join and gone it alone
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| Tavascarow |
It is good news although what FOtBs offer is different to BBKA in some respects.
From what I can gather they are only offering public liability & not disease or equipment cover. Although considering how few colonies have to be destroyed because of brood disease hardly important IMHO. Of course what we really want in these times of industrial agriculture is an insurance policy that will cover your bees against pesticide damage. Something neither groups insure against AFAIA, but at least with FOtBs you know they will act as a lobby & associate with other like minded groups. The BBKA aren't taking money from Bayer any more, but their comments & lack of action show they are still in league. 
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| mochasidamo |
It is good news although what FOtBs offer is different to BBKA in some respects.
From what I can gather they are only offering public liability & not disease or equipment cover. Although considering how few colonies have to be destroyed because of brood disease hardly important IMHO. Of course what we really want in these times of industrial agriculture is an insurance policy that will cover your bees against pesticide damage. Something neither groups insure against AFAIA, but at least with FOtBs you know they will act as a lobby & associate with other like minded groups. The BBKA aren't taking money from Bayer any more, but their comments & lack of action show they are still in league. |
Like this one...
"Statement re: Further research on neonicotinoid pesticides and bees
The BBKA today reiterates its call for an urgent review of all the available data on the effects of neonicotinoid pesticides on bees. The work reported in Science by Goulson et al on bumblebees and Henry et al on honey bees, is a matter for concern. It is vital that the UK authority, namely the Chemicals Regulation Directorate, reviews this new and other recently published data in depth and reports back in a full and transparent fashion. The findings and limitations of these studies and their relevance to bee health must be subject to scrutiny and appropriate action taken, if justified. The BBKA also renews its call on the competent EU authority to review the regulatory requirements for products in this new class of pesticides in order to detect possible sub-lethal effects which may not be picked-up by current testing regimes.
Over time, the BBKA has campaigned for more research into this group of compounds as evidenced in its paper Honey Bee Health Research Concepts (Jan 2009) and earlier papers submitted to Government. The BBKA itself is funding research on pesticide residues in bee colonies at Keele University.
Honey bees and bumble bees share the same environment and may be exposed to the same negative influences of poor forage availability, diseases, bad weather and agrochemical products. The BBKA is currently conducting its fifth annual winter survey of honey bee colony survival which will be reported as soon as the data is gathered and analysed.
30 March 2012"
Bee Care, We Care.
Where everything gets blamed for the bees decline other than neonicotinoid insecticides.
Comments about this on the BBKA forum.
| Quote: |
| One question that immediately springs to mind is who paid Tim's expenses?
If it was the BBKA, then is this prudent use of our funds? If it was Bayer, then Tim is in breach of ADM motion 03/2011 ‘That the BBKA cease any commercial relationships with agrochemical or associated companies relating to the use of the BBKA logo, for the endorsement of pesticides (for money or any other form of remuneration) as soon as contractually possible.’ He was clearly on the panel as a BBKA spokesperson and the name "British Beekeepers Association", which is part of our logo, was used. Perhaps he paid for his own flight/hotel/meals ? |
But then they have more integrity IMHO & certainly more vocal about the dangers of neonics.