Sponsored by:
Assemblyman RONALD S. DANCER
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)
Assemblyman TIMOTHY J. EUSTACE
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Urges State residents to support NJ beekeepers by purchasing honey made in NJ.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging New Jersey residents to purchase honey produced in New Jersey.
Whereas, Bees are an essential part of agriculture nationwide, needed to pollinate about a third of the food people consume, including important New Jersey crops such as apples, blueberries, cantaloupes, cranberries, cucumbers, peaches, pumpkins, squash, and strawberries; and
Whereas, In New Jersey, honey production is an important part of maintaining the State’s honey bee population, bolstering the economic viability of farms and farm stands throughout the State; and
Whereas, Honey has been known since ancient times for its healthy properties as an anti-inflammatory agent throughout the body, as an emollient treatment for sore throats and coughs, and as a curative salve for burns and insect bites; and
Whereas, Sales of honey itself generates at least $500,000 in the State annually and apiary services and products bring additional income and activity into the State’s economy, but it is estimated that the annual crop value attributable to honey bees was at least $83.6 million in 2002 and has most likely increased significantly since then; and
Whereas, According to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, about 32 percent of the State’s honey bees died last winter; and
Whereas, The United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Environmental Protection Agency released a report in May 2013 identifying the decline of the honey bee population as a complex problem with multiple factors stressing the honey bee population, from parasites and disease to poor nutrition and exposure to pesticides; and
Whereas, The beekeeper and agricultural associations and organizations in the State dedicate portions of their dues to bee research and educational outreach concerning issues affecting the industry; and
Whereas, It is important to support the State’s 1,000 beekeepers to ensure New Jersey will continue to have the valuable resource of the honey bee for pollination and the healthy products connected with honey production; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The residents of New Jersey are urged to support beekeepers in the State by purchasing honey made in New Jersey.
2. Beekeeping and farming associations and organizations are urged to coordinate with beekeepers, farm stands, farmers’ markets, supermarkets, and other retail outlets where New Jersey honey is sold the posting of a copy of this resolution or other suitable notice to communicate the importance of supporting the sale of New Jersey honey, and the posting of signs or other suitable notice identifying New Jersey honey at these retail outlets.
3. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk of the General Assembly, shall be transmitted to the Governor, the Secretary of the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Environmental Protection, the President and the Executive Director of the New Jersey Farm Bureau, and the President of the New Jersey Beekeepers Association.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges the residents of New Jersey to support beekeepers in the State by purchasing honey made in New Jersey.