EMAIL TITLE: SUPPORT the Eight County President's Beekeepers Pollinator Protection Plan!

Dear Commissioner Lebeaux,

Massachusetts beekeepers have proposed a Pollinator Protection Plan Framework which, if adopted by the Commonwealth, will provide better Protections for Pollinators than the Plan submitted by Massachusetts Farm Bureau.

I urge you to adopt the Eight County President's Beekeepers Pollinator Protection Plan Framework submitted by beekeeping organizations as Massachusetts’ official pollinator protection plan.

The Eight County President's Beekeepers Pollinator Protection Plan Framework:

The beekeeping organizations participating in the creation of this document and their members are dedicated to the protection of all pollinators and possess the majority of expertise extant on this topic within the Commonwealth. Members of county beekeeping organizations, by far the largest group of beekeepers in this state, are key stakeholders in any pollinator protection plan. It is well within the ability and capabilities of beekeepers in the Commonwealth to review and recommend additions and changes to the Massachusetts beekeeping legislation. Indeed, this has been the goal of numerous Massachusetts beekeepers who have actively sought out this role.

The "Eight County President's Beekeepers Pollinator Protection Plan Framework" was crafted by beekeepers with hundreds of years of combined beekeeping experience in Massachusetts. Among them are four Published Scientific Researchers, Presidents of County Beekeeping Organizations, past Massachusetts Apiary Inspectors including a previous Chief Apiary Inspector for Massachusetts, two Medical Entomologists, a Harvard Scientist of Public Health, Attorneys, a previous Director of Mosquito Control, a PhD Entomologist with a specialty in Pesticide Toxicology, a Biologist, an EAS Master Beekeeper, Master Gardeners, a Farmer and Commercial and Hobby Beekeepers.

On September 15th, 2015, Massachusetts beekeepers, including 8 county beekeeping associations and the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association, representing over 3000 individuals, submitted their framework for the Massachusetts Pollinator Protection Plan to the Department of Agriculture as a comment to the Massachusetts Farm Bureau's proposed framework.

On October 8th, 2015, Massachusetts beekeepers, including 8 county beekeeping associations and the Massachusetts Beekeepers Association, representing over 3000 individuals, submitted their framework for the Massachusetts Pollinator Protection Plan to the Department of Agriculture to be considered as an alternative framework. This framework is designed to achieve the goals of the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honeybees and other Pollinators.

The Eight County President's Beekeepers Pollinator Protection Plan Framework recognizes the expertise and willingness of Massachusetts beekeepers, stakeholders in the interest of protecting all our pollinators, as the most appropriate parties in reviewing and creating laws and regulations designed to protect Massachusetts bees. Should Massachusetts adopt this framework, a far better and more effective pollinator protection strategy may be achieved. I urge the Department of Agricultural Resources to adopt the Eight County President's Beekeepers Pollinator Protection Plan Framework created and supported by more than 3,000 Massachusetts beekeepers.

Sincerely, Name: XXXXX Address: XXXXX