CHAPTER 15
HJR 12 – FINAL VERSION
2008 SESSION
08/03
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 12
A RESOLUTION relative to support for research into colony collapse disorder.
SPONSORS: Rep. Phinizy, Sull 5; Rep. Haefner, Hills 27; Rep. Sad, Ches 2; Rep. O'Connell, Hills 6; Rep. Essex, Hills 1; Sen. Cilley, Dist 6; Sen. Reynolds, Dist 2; Sen. Fuller Clark, Dist 24
COMMITTEE: Environment and Agriculture
This resolution requests that Congress fund research into colony collapse disorder.
08-2294
08/03
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Eight
A RESOLUTION relative to support for research into colony collapse disorder.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
Whereas, the state of New Hampshire values its farms, growers, and all aspects of agriculture, and is recognized for its quality agricultural products; and
Whereas, New Hampshire is an active member of the Council of State Governments’ Eastern Regional Conference (CSG/ERC), which is comprised of the states from Maine to Delaware, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico with a population of over 60 million people; and
Whereas, New Hampshire is an active member of the Northeast States Association for Agricultural Stewardship (NSAAS), which is a CSG/ERC affiliate representing state agricultural and rural policy leaders in the northeast and supports the goals of the NSAAS agreed to in its last annual meeting; and
Whereas, agriculture operations in New Hampshire rely on the health of bee colonies for the pollination of many crops in New Hampshire, including, but not limited to, tomatoes; wild and cultivated blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries; all manner of fruits, such as apples and pears; and all manner of squash and pumpkins; and
Whereas, due to the shortage of healthy bee colonies for pollination this year, many farmers are paying up to 50 percent more to get bees, adding considerably to the cost of producing those crops; and
Whereas, unless the cause of colony collapse disorder is discovered and suitable treatments are found, New Hampshire farmers may face a year in the future with too few bees to pollinate their crops; and
Whereas, California Senator Barbara Boxer has introduced the Pollinator Protection Act to increase funding for research on honey bees allocating $28.75 million to research into colony collapse disorder; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives passed the 2007 Farm Bill; and
Whereas, in the House version of the Farm Bill, the level of funding dedicated to specialty crops and specialty crop pollination tripled from the 2002 Farm Bill to $1.5 billion, including $215 million of mandatory funding for specialty crop research; and
Whereas, the House-passed bill includes Florida Congressman Alcee Hastings’ pollinator protection proposal that authorizes additional research funding to reduce North American pollinator decline and understand colony collapse disorder and also includes language that allows Environmental Quality Incentives Program payments for producers that provide pollinator habitat; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
That the New Hampshire general court urges support for additional funding for essential research on colony collapse disorder and urges that funds be allocated for regenerating the bee population; and
That the house clerk forward copies of this resolution to all members of Congress from New Hampshire; and
That the house clerk forward a copy of this resolution to the United States Secretary of Agriculture; and
That the house clerk forward a copy of this resolution to the commissioner of the department of agriculture, markets, and food.
Approved: May 12, 2008