Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes -

19 June 2008

Bumble Bees  

D Day is approaching. The application to import Bumble Bees into Australia will be with the Minister, the Hon Peter Garrett, within two weeks. Now is the time to bombard him with letters even if you have done so already.

I actually had a response from his office the other day so we are getting through. Get your staff to write as well because denial of importation will set the industry back many years.

If you are involved in the production or sales of fresh tomatoes in Australia you should write now! Don’t believe this does not involve you. The supply of fresh tomatoes in Australia is much more brittle than many of us wish to believe.

Look at New Zealand where a new bacterium has caused a ban of exports. Look at Europe where viruses, unknown to Australia, are threatening their crops, and look at USA where salmonella saintpaul has threatened the viability of all growers and put retail sales in jeopardy of even glasshouse tomatoes.

Bumble Bees can help to secure the future of the industry, denial of importation will set the greenhouse industry back 20 years and threaten the viability of future investments.

Every other major greenhouse producer in the world uses Bumble Bee technology. Australian growers need the financial economies that Bumble Bees deliver but we also want to deliver the better product that Bumble Bees guarantee the greenhouse when they ensure pollination is done on time at the right time.

The Australian Horticultural and Greenhouse Association has traveled all over the world to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, Bumble Bees, would not have a deleterious effect on our natural environment. Bumble Bees have co-existed with native Bees in NZ for 100 years without negative results. Bumble Bees are not regarded as a pest anywhere in the world. They are a beneficial insect that can live in harmony in the Australian environment and can also deliver major economic benefits to many outdoor crops through pollination of vines, almonds, olives etc. If refusal occurs, a long expensive painfully slow process for importation will be initiated and in this time many growers will leave the industry.

If you are involved in the fresh tomato industry Bumble Bees importation onto mainland Australia is important to you. Without Bumble Bees, existing growers’ livelihoods will be threatened, the supply base eroded while field growers try to sustain the industry. But also fresh investment in the greenhouse industry will be stymied as returns on capital remain disappointingly low.

So write now to Mr Garrett. Let him know that your JOB and FUTURE depends on the Bumble Bee. Get behind the AHGA and the researchers who have put enormous effort into producing this application for importation.

Bring on the Bumble Bees.

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