USDA Using FOIA To Block Information On Why Leading Bee Expert Resigned - CCD Expert
The Department of Agriculture blocked references to a well-known bee researcher's surprise resignation last year in documents released under the Freedom of Information Act.
Jeffery Pettis' demotion from his research perch last July at the Agricultural Research Service's Bee Laboratory shocked the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA) and the American Beekeeping Federation (ABF), whose presidents and vice presidents formally asked USDA for information on why Pettis was allowed to step down. In an Aug. 25 letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the groups' leaders described Pettis as "one of the world's most renowned honey bee researchers," who led the research on colony collapse disorder -- a phenomenon in which entire colonies disappeared from hives -- and bee health decline in his years at ARS.
"It is because of Dr. Pettis's deep commitment to honey bee science that we must express concern about USDA's decision to relieve him of his duties as Laboratory Leader at the Beltsville Area Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland," ABF President Tim Tucker and Vice President Gene Brandi and AHPA President Randy Verhoek and Vice President Darren Cox said in the letter, obtained by Greenwire.
The associations questioned USDA's reason for dropping Pettis, saying "we cannot help but to view the decision cynically." The letter recounted a meeting with Agricultural Research Service Administrator Chavonda Jacobs-Young during which they were told Pettis had been reassigned to a research-only position because he had fallen behind on his administrative responsibilities. The letter also stated that other ARS honeybee scientists are "finding themselves reprimanded for reasons unclear to our organizations."
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