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By Ramona Frances

California legislation intended to keep commercial bees from seedless mandarin groves passed out of the Senate Agriculture Committee after being "tweaked" to protect the growers' "right-to-farm."

Phil Pierre, a citrus consultant who mangages citrus in five counties including Madera and Fresno, said consumers want seedless fruit, and the W. Murcott groves pollinated by bees produce seeds.

Orin Johnson, president of California State Beekeepers Association, says pollination is needed in many different areas of agriculture.

"Honeybees are directly or indirectly responsible for about one-third of everything we eat due to their pollination activities. Many citrus growers want bees to be placed on their property during bloom in order to enhance fruit set and retention on certain varieties of citrus."

A grower managing several thousand acres of citrus in Madera and Fresno counties said he is in favor of the bill.

"I fully support that legislation," said Kevin Olsen. "The legislation is crafted so beekeepers are protected if crops need pollination at same time mandarins susceptible get them. There is protection written in for the beekeepers," Olsen said.

Joel Nelsen, president of California Citrus Mutual is optimistic about a possible resolution between beekeepers and growers.

On Tuesday, Julia Berry of Madera Farm Bureau said the bureau has taken a neutral position.

"We have an interesting situation here. We have members who are citrus growers, members who provide bees to all the different growers which include almonds. We have a huge almond (grower) population," said Berry.

Almond orchards require a high number of pollinator bees to produce the highest valued crop in Madera County.

Johnson said the Fresno and Tulare Farm Bureau and California Seed Association remain opposed to Assembly Bill 771, the Seedless Mandarin and Honeybee Coexistence Working Group Act.

Johnson said he was surprised by recent changes made to the bill.

"You wouldn't recognize the language from what it was before. You vote on it and they still amend it. The Senate Agriculture Committee asked for the right-to-farm to be included in the bill, but also fees imposed on those who may benefit if costs are incurred by the bill. We objected," Johnson said.

Initially the bill mandated a two-mile buffer zone around mandarin groves. Now it gives the California Department of Food and Agriculture secretary the authority to appoint members to a working committee to address the coexistence of seedless citrus and pollinator bees.

If the group does not reach its goal by February 15, the secretary will create emergency regulations for the 2008 bloom season to protect seedless citrus from cross pollination.

Ramona Frances Ramona Frances is a staff columnist, writer and photographer for the Madera Tribune. You may contact Ramona at 674.8134 ext. 222 or by e-mail ramona (at) maderatribune.net The Madera Tribune online subscription To subscribe or log on, CLICK HERE. For more information first, CLICK HERE.