Senator McCain Denounces “bee factory”:  Incorrect on the Law and the Facts[1]

On March 3, 2009 Senator John McCain, on the floor of the US Senate, denounced funding for a “bee factory” in Weslaco, Texas as unnecessary pork.[2]  Senator McCain was wrong on the law and wrong on the facts.

The law: 

There is no funding for a “bee factory.”  Perhaps Mr. McCain heard incorrectly.  A Bee Laboratory in Weslaco, Texas was funded.[3] [4] [5]

The facts: 

Food security for our country depends on healthy pollinators.  The primary benefit of honeybee colonies is their use in pollinating our crops.  The National Academy of Sciences, in a far ranging study in 2006, found that our pollinators of all types are suffering.[6]  Our honeybees are in decline from a number of invasive pests and pathogens.  Recently the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder, CCD, has killed honeybee colonies suddenly and in record numbers.[7]  The US Department of Agriculture’s Bee Labs have the primary responsibility for safeguarding our crops by understanding pollinator health and developing safe treatments for problems.[8]

These are the honeybee projects of the laboratory in question, the Kika de la Garza Subtropical Agricultural Research Center in Weslaco, Texas, as described on their website: [9]

1.  Improving Honey Bee Health, Survivorship, and Pollination Availablity[10]

2.  Pests, Parasites, Diseases and Stress of Managed Honey Bees Used in Honey[11] Production and Pollination

3.      Sustainable Solutions to Problems Affecting Health of Managed Bees[12]

It is clear that funding for this laboratory and its projects is far from unnecessary pork.  It is an essential part of keeping us, our honeybees, and our food, safe, and our country prosperous.

[5] “Explanatory Statement Submitted By Mr. Obey, Chairman Of The House

Committee On Appropriations, Regarding H.R. 1105, Omnibus Appropriations Act, 2009” [Congressional Record: February 23, 2009(House)][Page H1653-H1703]