Response to Troy Fore's Comments

U nited States Department of Agriculture

National Agricultural Statistics Service

Census and Survey Division

Survey Administration Branch

December 30, 2009

TO: Troy Fore

Director of Government Relations

American Beekeeping Federation, Inc.

FROM: NASS Clearance Officer

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Room 5336A, Mail Stop 2024-S

1400 Independence Avenue

Washington, DC 20250-2024

RE: Renewal of the Honey Survey, Docket Number 0535-0153

Thank you for sharing your ideas for improvement to the NASS honey program, we appreciate your concerns and for taking the time to respond to the Federal Register.

Expanding the survey to collect data on pollination activities is beyond the scope of the ‘Honey Production Survey’. NASS defines bee colony rentals and activities associated with renting or leasing of livestock as ‘Income from Farm-Related Sources’. Income related to these sources is collected once every five years on the Census of Agriculture. The Honey report released each year specifically targets those producers that pull honey off for human consumption.

NASS has met with members of the industry and realizes the need for additional data. However, NASS does not have the funding to expand the current survey to increase population and sample sizes, data collection, editing, summarization, analysis, and estimation. Unfortunately, at this time, the request to expand the survey is denied pending further funding.

Should appropriate funding become available NASS would be interested in working with the American Beekeeping Federation to improve the honey program and discuss the questions you are requesting. If you or members of your group would like to discuss this further, please contact me at the telephone number or E-mail address provided below.

Response provided by:

Bruce Boess

Head, Poultry & Specialty Commodities Section

USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service

Phone: (202) 720-4447

E-mail: [email protected]