Jerry Hayes to Work for Monsanto via Beeologics
Apiary inspection in the Sunshine state has been delivered a huge blow. Just as beekeeper protection legislation gives extraordinary power to the chief apiarist, Jerry Hayes, he has accepted a position with Monsanto in their Beekeeping Biotechnology Division. Mon- santo has acquired a company known as Beeologics that has been in beekeeping news recently for developing a product called Reme- bee. This uses a technology called RNAi to protect honey bees from viruses. I wrote an article on this for Bee Culture Magazine in 2008.
http://apisenterprises.com/papers_htm/BC2008/viruse_treatments_ RNAi.htm
According to a press release on the sale, “The expertise Beeologics has developed will enable Monsanto to further explore the use of biologicals broadly in agriculture. Monsanto will use the base tech- nology from Beeologics as a part of its continuing discovery and development pipeline. Biological products will continue to play an increasingly important role in supporting the sustainability of many agricultural systems. Both companies expect that their com- bined research could provide farmers with novel approaches to the challenges they face.
“Monsanto, which has proven expertise in managing a technology pipeline, will support the Beeologics team and its Technology Ad- visory Board in advancing its pipeline. Beeologics' work to pro- mote bee health will continue under Monsanto's ownership.”
For some the Monsanto name is anathema, as the “Antichrist” of agriculture, responsible for developing genetically modified organ- isms (GMOs), predominantly plants that are resistant to herbicides and insect predation. The Company has never been heavily in- volved in beekeeping or apiculture,however, until now. That it poached Florida’s chief apiarist is hard to take. Jerry has said that this will not signal an end to his fascination of or support for for honey bees and beekeeping. It is hoped he will provide a solid voice of support for honey bees within the Monsanto corporation. Florida beekeepers thank him for his service and wish him well.
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