[Pollinator] Beekeepers asked to move hives away from a crop that doesn't want pollination

[Matthew Shepherd (Xerces Society)]

Here's new issue facing commercial beekeepers in California. Beekeepers are being asked to move hives away from a crop that doesn't want pollination, with the threat of legal action against them if they do not move. 

Right-to-farm issue causes buzz in SJV
By Christine Souza; 5/10/06
Full article on website of California Farm Bureau Federation, at http://www.cfbf.com/agalert/AgAlertStory.cfm?ID=588&ck=DACA41214B39C5DC66674D09081940F0

Concern by Paramount Citrus about damage to its mandarin crop caused by bees pollinating neighboring crops in Tulare, Kern, Fresno and Madera counties has prompted the company to demand that nearby landowners keep beehives at least 2 miles away from its groves. 

In response, some beekeepers assert that state law protects their right to continue their long-standing agricultural activity. 

"What we're asking people to do is be reasonable. We have in our farming portfolio a need for bees too and what we're asking for is simply to respect the specific crops of the mandarin Clementine," said Fiona Posell, Paramount Citrus spokeswoman. "There are plenty of people who have already moved. So we are very encouraged and we have seen more people being cooperative than not." 

At issue is Paramount Citrus' discovery that its seedless mandarin varieties growing within the Central Valley's citrus belt are suffering damage due to cross-pollination by bees placed near its groves. The distribution by bees of pollen in these mandarin citrus groves results in a high number of seeds in the fruit. 

"A landlord asked me to leave and when I didn't get them out that night, Paramount called me the next day to say, 'if you don't get these out, you'll be hearing from our legal department,'" said Tulare County beekeeper Paul Godlin. "Paramount is encouraging growers to be good neighbors and not allow their beekeeper that they've dealt with for many years to put bees in the area. To the best of my knowledge, they have no legal right to do that. A lot of wringing of hands is going on right now." 

The few landowners who refused to comply with Paramount's request to remove bees received the letter by Paramount Citrus attorney Andrew Ashe, who stated the company's request that they move the hives or face legal action. 

"Paramount hereby demands that you immediately move your bee hives a minimum of two miles away from Paramount's property. If you fail to do so...we will have no choice but to immediately take legal action against you, including filing suit against you for negligence, trespass, nuisance and other claims," Ashe stated. "Should such action become necessary, please be advised that Paramount will seek injunctive relief, compensation for any and all damages caused to its crops as well as punitive damages." 
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The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Protecting wildlife through science-based advocacy, education, 
and conservation projects since 1971. To join the Society, make a 
contribution, or read about our work, please visit www.xerces.org.

Matthew Shepherd
Director, Pollinator Conservation Program
4828 SE Hawthorne Boulevard, Portland, OR 97215, USA
Tel: 503-232 6639 Fax: 503-233 6794
Email: mdshepherd at xerces.org 
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