Urgent National Honey Show News Posted Sunday, August 29, 2004 by webmaster
Remember remember it’s not November! The National Honey Show has a new venue at the Royal Air Force Museum, Hendon, London. Only 30 minutes from central London, follow the brown tourist signs from the M25, M1, A41, A5 and North Circular roads (A406). The venue has a large free car and coach park. Easy public transport links, only three minute walk from Colindale underground station on the Edgware branch of the Northern line. Thameslink to Mill Hill Broadway. The 303 bus passes the door. Due to special circumstances this year the last entry date has been extended until the 8th October 2004 also the late entry fee has been waved (not including the video, photographic and essay classes which must be with the membership secretary not later than the 23rd September). If you won any cups and trophies for the 2003 competition please remember to bring them back to the RAF Museum on the first day of the 2004 show. Visit the National Honey Show website to download details of the competitive classes and spare entry forms and other support information. http://www.honeyshow.co.uk
UK Bumble bee survey Posted Tuesday, June 22, 2004 by webmaster
We are asking volunteers to survey their gardens and countryside looking for bumble bee nests during the remainder of June or the first week in July. It should only take an hour or so. All information is on our website:- http://www.rothamsted.bbsrc.ac.uk/pie/BumblebeeSurvey/
BBKA Appointment of General Secretary Posted Friday, February 27, 2004 by webmaster
On 16 February 2004, Claire Waring was appointed General Secretary of the British Beekeepers' Association. She is the first woman to hold this post and the first to follow her husband in the job. Adrian Waring was General Secretary from 1994–1999. More details on the new BBKA website news service URL: http://www.bbka.org.uk/news/
The National Honey Show 2003 Posted Saturday, November 8, 2003 by webmaster
Did you know that honeybees "pollinate 80% of plants and trees", provide "one of nature’s greatest foods" and is "a product that can heal inside the body as well as outside” (from Bee keeping by DBKA, article by Jane Ducker on Honey Shows). Without help from these fascinating insects the shop shelves would be seriously depleted of products. There is a demand for British honey which exceeds the supply so let's support our bee keepers and their craft!
PRESS RELEASE:
THE NATIONAL HONEY SHOW with International Classes
13 - 15 NOVEMBER 2003
KENSINGTON TOWN HALL
HORNTON STREET
LONDON
The show is open to all but is best explained as "The Wimbledon of Bee Keeping" where bee keepers from the UK and abroad compete in different classes featuring all products of the hive. Apart from the exhibits and world class competition, there is a lecture convention plus charity, education and trade stands. Here the public can learn about bee keeping, view related crafts and purchase products while bee keepers attend the lectures compete and purchase equipment bargains. Praise bee to Fuller Smith & Turner Plc at the Griffin Brewery, London who will again bee-line a supply of their popular Honey Dew beer, buzzing with flavour, to us. This is displayed in original showmanship style and available throughout the show for all to wax lyrical on its star quality. With Christmas in mind, there are delightful products for sale. This will have universal appeal to all visitors. Select from honey, beverages, beeswax, candles, carvings, moulds, soaps and polish to baking, confectionery, stationery, books, cosmetics, health products, toys and jewellery.
The show will be opened on Thursday 13 November 2003 at 2pm by Kim Flottum : Editor: USA’s leading magazine: ‘Bee Culture’
Press are invited to meet Peter Dalby in the foyer, prior opening - for information gathering prior photo shoots.
Times: Thurs. 2.00-7pm Fri. 9.30am-7pm Sat. 9.30am-5pm
Admission and membership: £10 Children U16 and Members - free.
Pre-paid day tickets are £8 pp and for groups of 30+ ONLY £5 pp.
Further information: http://www.honeyshow.co.uk
Schedules (programmes): Rev. HF Capener : (+44 ) 01303 254579
Mo Davies Voluntary Publicity Officer 02089406070
National Honey Show Registered Charity No 233656
Rothamsted Research at the Chelsea Flower Show Posted Tuesday, May 13, 2003 by webmaster
We need bees to pollinate our wild flowers and our crops. But bees are in decline in the UK due to land use changes that are depriving them of food and nest sites. At the Chelsea Flower Show (20-23rd May) Rothamsted Research, in association with the British Beekeepers Association will display new research which uses a novel combination of satellite technology, field experiments and genetics to investigate what different farmed and suburban habitats offer for bumble bees. We will explain what you can do in your own garden to conserve bees and benefit from their presence. More wild bees in our gardens will increase fruit and vegetable yields, and provide berries and fruit for other wild animals, pictures available on request. Contacts; Dr Elspeth Bartlet, tel; 01582 763133 ext 2260 mobile 0794144 6592 email; ebartlet@bbsrc.ac.uk. fax; 01582 760981. More on the Chelsea Flower Show at http://www.rhs.org.uk
Formic Acid Treatment Posted Monday, March 31, 2003 by webmaster
During Apimondia 1999 I presented my discovery on treating the Varroa mite by using the fungus Hirsutella Thompsonii. Several research centers around the world are pursuing the project and their recently released papers are very promising.
The main reason for my email is my other project "MiteGone" Formic Acid Treatment. I need an educated and realistic opinion from you on the project. Could you or your delegate look at our website http://www.mitegone.com (it includes a video, full instruction, and handbook of formic acid) and let me know:
1. How many hives are there in your country?
2. Would the method be acceptable to your beekeepers?
3. Is such use of formic acid legal?
4. Is the formic acid available to beekeepers?
5. What are compatible treatments and their costs?
6. What would a pad have to retail for in order to be successful in your market? 7. Could you recommend suitable organizations or individuals who would be interested in licensing and distribution of our product?
Time is of essence, as I have to make a decision on proceeding with the European and PTC patent protection by April 15th, 2003.
I very much appreciate your help. Yours truly, Bill Ruzicka, MiteGone Enterprises Inc. 2910 Glenmore Rd. North, Kelowna, British Columbia, CANADA V1V 2B6 Tel: 1-250-762-8156 Fax: 1-250-763-1206 email: Bill Ruzicka billruzicka@mitegone.com or Susanne Ruzicka - sruzicka@mitegone.com
Bee Inspector Vacancies in the South East Posted Sunday, March 2, 2003 by webmaster
As you may already be aware, the National Bee Unit currently has a number of vacancies for Bee Inspectors, including several in the South East. These vacancies are being advertised in the March 2003 edition of Bee Craft. For those who do not subscribe to Bee Craft, a summary of the details from the advertisement follows: Seasonal Bee Inspectors Salary £15543 pro rata per annum Band 3 - Ref. CSP 2616. The Central Science Laboratory (CSL) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). The Agency provides policy advice and technical support underpinned by high quality R&D to help DEFRA and other customers to safeguard food supplies, protect consumers and the environment. The appointment will be on a recurring short-term basis of no more than 6 months in any period of 12 consecutive 12 months. The main duties are to organise and conduct a statutory bee disease inspection scheme and to provide advice and training for local beekeepers. Practical beekeeping skills, in depth knowledge of bee diseases and good communication skills are essential. You should have a degree or equivalent qualification OR three years relevant beekeeping experience. To apply for this position, please call 01904 462302 (24 hour answer phone) for an application pack, or email us at jobs@csl.gov.uk. Further information and an application pack are also available on the CSL Internet site at http://www.csl.gov.uk
Closing date for applications is 21 March 2003. Please note: if you have not been contacted within 4 weeks of the advertised closing date, we regret you have not been selected for interview. CSL is an Equal Opportunities Employer
I am very much hoping to receive many applications for the Seasonal Bee Inspector posts in the South East region. However, I know from experience that well qualified candidates who are interested in the posts but have previously worked in different fields can sometimes be reluctant to apply. So let me emphasize that I'd like to hear from any experienced practical beekeepers who are good at working with other people. If this includes you, please feel free to get in touch with me by phone or email for further information or for an informal discussion about the job. If you know any other beekeepers who you think might be interested in working as a Seasonal Bee Inspector, I would be very grateful if you would draw these details to their attention.
Thanks very much for your help.
James Morton
South-Eastern Regional Bee Inspector
Central Science Laboratory
National Bee Unit
Tel/fax: 020 8571 6450
Mobile: 07719 924 418
E-mail: j.morton@csl.gov.uk
CSL website: http://www.csl.gov.uk
National Bee Unit website: http://www.csl.gov.uk/prodserv/cons/bee/
South-East Honey Survey 2002 Posted Wednesday, February 12, 2003 by webmaster
The number of contributors (41) is fewer that is required for a statistically robust analysis. However, their figures give a reasonable indication of typical honey yields and prices within our region. In analysing the replies, I have used all figures received - where contributors gave two or more figures for a single variable (e.g. a range of potential prices), I took a simple average of these. Read the full 2002 survey by James Morton from the URL: http://www.beedata.com/news/se-honey-survey2002.htm
The Bee Inspector on BBC Radio 4 Posted Tuesday, January 28, 2003 by webmaster
Call in the bee expert. The Bee Inspector Sundays 2 - 23 February, 2.45pm on BBC Radio 4. Who do you call when your bees stop buzzing or the honey goes off? Why, the Bee Inspector of course. He may be the man from the Ministry, but David Kemp is the saviour of many a bee-keeper. What's more he's full of fascinating facts about these extraordinary little creatures and how they live. But does he get stung often? (Thanks to Greg Snell for this news item).
New Years Honours List - Beekeeper awarded the MBE Posted Tuesday, December 31, 2002 by webmaster
Michael Badger from Roundhay, Leeds has been awarded the MBE in the New Years Honours List for Services to the British Beekeeping Industry. This award will be seen as a great boost to beekeeping and well deserved by Michael.
Michael has been actively involved with beekeeping since a childhood. He has been involved in all spheres of beekeeping he has been the National President of the British Beekeepers’ Association and its Chairman. In addition, the Chairman (twice) of the Yorkshire Beekeepers’ Association and its General Secretary and is The Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s representative to the Yorkshire Beekeepers’ Association. He has been the Chief Honey Steward at the Gt. Yorkshire Show for over twenty years and a Senior Honey Judge for many years, participating at all the top agricultural shows in the British Isles.
Mr Badger is the Secretary General of the National Council of Beekeeping Associations in the United Kingdom a role that involves regular attendance at the COPA-COGECA meetings for the EU Honey Working Party at Brussels. He gives lectures worldwide, in April he will be meeting beekeepers in San Francisco and Los Angeles with visits to others in the third world during 2004.
Out of beekeeping Michael is a Director of an Environmental Management Consultancy and a publishing house. He his married to Hilary and they have three children. Press Release by Erica Osborn
CSL SE Region Foulbrood Update 2002 Posted Wednesday, November 20, 2002 by webmaster
Newsletter dated Autumn 2002.The Central Science Laboratory - National Bee Unit (South East Region update and Foulbrood update. View map and download information in PDF format. From James Morton, SE Regional Inspector URL: http://www.beedata.com/news/fb071102.htm
Beekeeper needed for new project Posted Thursday, November 14, 2002 by webmaster
LAVERSTOKE PARK ESTATE in Hampshire - The largest smallholding it the world. Laverstoke Park Produce LLP is a rapidly expanding organic company based on a 2500-acre farm involved in many aspects of agricultural production and processing keeping strictly to the laws of nature. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced beekeeper to start and develop a large beekeeping project to produce honey and other bee products from the estate. It is envisaged that special crops could also be grown to produce different flavored honey. This position could be full time or might also suit a retired person with lots of energy.If you love working with bees and have the enthusiasm and drive to implement such a project please send your CV to. Fax 01256 890909 or e mail catriona@laverstokepark.co.uk
Powdered Sugar Posted Saturday, November 9, 2002 by webmaster
SALEM BEEKEEPER’S GIZMO HAS HONEY INDUSTRY ABUZZ
Monday, November 4, 2002 - - By The Associated Press SALEM, OREGON — A Salem beekeeper has invented a machine that uses powdered sugar instead of chemicals to rid bees of the deadly Varroa mite, a parasite wiping out hives around the country. The bees are sunk in a vat of powdered sugar, sent onto a vibrating screen and emerge free of the mite. Harry Vanderpool says a couple of pounds of powdered sugar and his invention — a machine he calls the Mitey-Victor — could help beekeepers get the upper hand against the mite. At stake are billions of dollars in the honey industry and in crops reliant on bee pollination.
Scientists trying to stop the Varroa mite have long known that powdered sugar will cause the mites to release their grip on honeybees, although they're not sure why. But Vanderpool's mechanical extractor is something new, and it has the world of apiculture buzzing with speculation.
The beekeeper's invention could provide an alternative to the chemical warfare that has been waged on Varroa mites for the past 15 years. Vanderpool's concept showed enough promise that the Oregon Department of Agriculture gave him nearly $12,000 from a federal grant to develop a prototype. The machine is a two-level vibrating screener that is powered by a 12-volt battery. Made of stainless steel, the prototype is built on a two-wheeled trailer chassis. "This isn't rocket science whatsoever," Vanderpool said. Bees and powdered sugar go in a hopper at the top. Mites and leftover sugar fall into separate drawers at the bottom. The Varroa mites dry up and die in less than an hour. Most of the bees fly out of the machine, and others are temporarily dazed and fall onto a conveyor that deposits them on the ground.
Powdered sugar is routinely used to deliver antibiotics to bees because the insects will eagerly consume it. Ken Kite, a Stayton resident who keeps beehives as a hobby, let Vanderpool test his machine on his bees. He was impressed, as well as amused: "It just bounced these sugar-coated bees out into a pile." The bees were unharmed after their journey through the Mitey-Victor, Kite said, and subsequent tests indicated that few mites remained in the hives. Vanderpool, who keeps 50 hives on his property south of Salem, says his bees have passed through the Mitey-Victor with no ill effects.
Similar screening devices are used in industries ranging from commercial bakeries to rock-crushing operations. But the Mitey-Victor has patentable features, and Vanderpool has been granted a provisional patent, which gives him a year to get a full-fledged patent.
Varroa mites have spread across the nation since they were first detected here in 1987. Only Hawaii has escaped their onslaught. They have devastated wild-honeybee colonies and become an expensive nuisance for the estimated 200,000 beekeepers in the United States. Industry experts agree that chemicals, which were the first line of defense against the mites, have become less and less effective as mites adapted.
2002 National Honey Show News Posted Tuesday, November 5, 2002 by webmaster
WELCOME TO THE 71st NATIONAL HONEY SHOW (Registered Charity 233656)
Entries Good news! We have more entries this year – a total of 1214 from 182 entrants. Including those from our supporters in the UK and Ireland, they come from all over the world, Grenada, Nepal, Nigeria, Rodrigues, Somaliland and Uganda. How extraordinary it is that beekeepers from such far-off places can manage to get their entries to London, but beekeepers nearer home find the journey far too difficult! Unfortunately, our good friends in Trinidad and Tobago have not yet circumnavigated the intricacies of European Decision 2001/700/EC, but we have high hopes of seeing their entries again next year.
Displays from Overseas On the stage this year, we hope that there will be displays from a number of overseas organisations, including Cameroon, India, Nepal, Nigeria and Uganda. Please make a point of going up to see them and making them welcome. They have all travelled a long way to be with us, and this is a good opportunity for an exchange of experiences.
Trade and Educational Stands We give a special welcome to Bernhard Graze, Le Bal des Abeilles, Progressive Interventions and F W Richardson, who are all with us for the first time.
The Honey Show Webmaster will again be downstairs in the Lower Hall, and will be ready to advise and to help local branches set up their own websites.
Lecture Convention Once again, Brian Palmer and his team have brought together a wonderful programme of lectures. Unfortunately Dr Elke Genersch is unwell, and so the 11.45 lecture on Friday will be by Lee Robinson “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants – Preliminary Investigation into EFB Pathenogenesis” and the one on Saturday at 11.45 will be by Philip McCabe “There is a Swarm in my Apple Tree”.
Display Cases again contain items from the collections of Barbara Dalby and Clive Watson.
The Prize and Award Results These should be ready for collection on Friday and Saturday. If by any chance you miss getting a copy, you will find the results on our Website http://www.honeyshow.co.uk Also on the Website, you will find live pictures from the Show during the Show, and selected pictures when the Show is over. Don’t forget to collect your prize money and cards.
Gift Aid We can reclaim the tax that you have paid on any money, other than your membership fee, you give to the Show, if you are a UK Income Tax payer and have signed the Gift Aid Declaration.
We thank Northern Bee Books and E H Thorne for their kind help in transporting some entries to the Show.
We are enormously grateful to a whole host of people, who work not only at the Show itself but also throughout the whole year, and whose time, efforts and trouble help to make the Show such a wonderful success.
With Great Sadness we record the death of Maurice Bond on 8th July 2002. For twenty years, he served faithfully as the Hon General Secretary of the Show, and even after retiring from that position, he continued working as a member of the Executive Committee. A great debt of gratitude is owed to Maurice for his years of devoted service.
And finally We especially welcome all those who are visiting the National for the first time. Please make yourselves at home, and make sure you see the exhibits downstairs – there are lots more of them. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to approach a steward – they are the people wearing white coats. If you have any suggestions or criticisms to make, please write them in the Suggestions Book at the Information Desk in the entrance foyer. You may think that, by writing a letter when you get home, your remarks will receive more attention – not so! Letters may get lost, but the suggestions and criticisms in the Book are never lost. We do listen to your suggestions, and at the end of the Show, every entry is meticulously considered by the Executive Committee. Next year’s dates are 13th-15th November PUT THEM IN YOUR 2003 DIARY NOW!!
Small hive beetle found in Australian bees Posted Saturday, November 2, 2002 by webmaster
A beetle that could devastate the Australian beekeeping industry has now been found in two areas - New South Wales and Queensland. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization said honey production and hive management in Australia could change forever after confirmation of the arrival of the small hive beetle, Aethina tumida. The pest is endemic in South Africa and the United States. It was found in bee colonies located in Richmond, New South Wales. "Larvae of the small hive beetle are most damaging to honey bees," said CSIRO bee project leader Denis Anderson. "They tunnel through combs, eating honey and pollen and killing bee brood, completely ruining the combs. "Bees may abandon combs and entire colonies once they become affected," he said. "Worse, the larvae defecate in honey promoting fermentation. Fermented honey cannot be used by industry, is abandoned by bees, and must be destroyed." The small hive beetle is native to South Africa, where it is regarded as a minor pest of African strains of honey bees. However, in the United States, where the beetle was first discovered in 1998, it has become a significant pest. Australia now is only the second New World country to which the beetle has spread. The effect of the beetle in Australia is likely to be similar to that in the U.S., as the climate and bee strains in Australia are similar. "This means a complete change to the way hives are managed and honey harvested," Anderson said. "If the incursion cannot be reversed, it will be a significant issue and a major cost for Australia's beekeepers." Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk said two aparies in the Beerwah State Forest, about 80 kilometres north of Brisbane were quarantined after the suspected discovery of the small hive beetle. "Wider surveillance is being carried out to determine if the pest is present in the immediate area and elsewhere in Queensland," he said. The discovery was made after NSW Agriculture traced the movement of hive material from a suspect site near Sydney to an apiary in Beerwah. Palaszczuk said the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases has met and agreed to form a working group comprising DPI staff, NSW Agriculture, the federal department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia, CSIRO and bee industry members to determine the extent of infestation. The Queensand government received immediate Executive Council approval to amend regulations making the beetle a declared pest which allows the DPI to enforce quarantine and other regulatory controls, such as destruction orders. There are 80,000 commercial hives in Queensland producing on annual average 75 kilograms a hive of honey. The Queensland bee industry produces honey, beeswax, honeycomb, queen bee exports and pollination services. The 6,000 tonnes of honey produced by Queensland hives each year are valued at A$24 million. Beeswax production is estimated at 100 tonnes a year, valued at A$450,000. Queen bee exports of 20,000 queen bees at A$15 each represent A$300,000 to the industry annually. Kim Flottum Editor, Bee Culture Magazine.
BBKA conference on GM Crops, Beekeeping and the Honey Industry Posted Saturday, September 21, 2002 by webmaster
British Beekeepers Stand Firm on 6 Mile Limit. There is a clear need to maintain Honey quality. Strong views and penetrating questions characterised today’s (20 September) conference on GM Crops, Beekeeping and the Honey Industry . The meeting, organised by the BBKA was attended by over 80 beekeeping delegates from across the country, including members of the Scottish and Welsh Beekeepers Associations together with representatives of the UK honey industry (Bee Farmers Association and Honey Association). Full BBKA Press Release dated 20th Sept 2002 on the BBKA website URL: http://www.bbka.org.uk
Serious outbreak of AFB Coventry area Posted Tuesday, September 10, 2002 by webmaster
There has been a very serious outbreak of AFB in the Coventry area. Mike Brown, from the NBU, rang as soon as they realised the extent of the problem. It is important that all bee keepers in the area are made aware and check any suspect colonies. This is the time of year when robbing is prevalent, please be vigilant to minimise the spread of this outbreak. It is hoped that Foul Brood Inspectors will have their contracts extended to enable them to get on top of this outbreak. This alone reflects the severity of this outbreak. Please contact the NBU (01904 462 510), or your local inspector, if you would like assistance. Ged Marshall
London BKA meeting Posted Monday, September 9, 2002 by webmaster
The London Beekeeping association is being revived and will be reconstituted with a new Committee and officers. A General Meeting will be held for this purpose on Tuesday 8 October at 6.30 pm at the offices of Roots and Shoots, Walnut Tree Walk, Kennington Road, Lambeth SE11 (underground Lambeth North, buses 3, 59, 159). While the new membership is concentrated in south London, membership is open to any beekeepers in the London area. Any and all potential new members are welcome. Please join us and come to the initial meeting. Julian Lush, Hon Secretary JulianLush@amserve.com
Fungi help combat honeybee killer Posted Sunday, August 18, 2002 by webmaster
Fungi could soon be helping beekeepers control a parasitic mite that before now has killed up to 70% of colonies. Research shows that the fungi can kill Varroa just as effectively as the chemicals currently used to keep populations of the parasite manageable. The fungi could prove key to protecting hives as the mites become resistant to chemical controls currently used to treat them. More info from the URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/2182948.stm
John Salt Press Release 06/08/02 Posted Tuesday, August 6, 2002 by webmaster
RIGGED DEFRA CONFERENCE TO UNDERMINE GM-FREE HONEY STANDARDS From John Salt, President: Moray Beekeepers: "Honey produced in the UK has remained GM-Free because beekeepers who wish to sell their honey to the British Honey Importers and Packers Association have been required to move their hives at least 6 miles from any GM crops.The normal flying distance of a honeybee is three miles, doubling this distance should ensure all honey will therefore remain GM free. 27 GM test sites thus prevent beekeepers from using just under 8,000 sq miles of the UK!
Many beekeeping associations including numerous individual beekeepers have been highly critical of GM crops, have asked many embarrassing questions of government and have been major contributors to the anti-GM movement. The Government sees this as an obstacle to the commercialisation of GM crops and wants the GM-Free honey standards scrapped. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), as part of a nationwide 'PR offensive' to remove resistance to GM crop commercialisation, has arranged for the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) to organise a conference to discuss the standards. Only pro-GM government advisers and pro-GM or uncommitted representatives of the larger and more commercial beekeepers associations are invited. Invitees have been limited to approx 80 and a maximum of 2 per Association/Organisation. Key critics who in the past have expressed serious concerns on behalf of UK and Scottish Beekeepers, have been excluded from the conference. The National Pollen Research Council - who provided the data showing that pollen can be spread far further than Government estimates - are not represented. Small beekeepers, the large majority of whom oppose GM crops, will not have an opportunity to express their views at this meeting. Also unrepresented are consumers organisations, the health food / wholefood trade and organic farmers associations.
Participants have been carefully selected and the conference is clearly designed to reach the conclusion that the 6 mile hive exclusion zone should be abandoned - the Government has stated that the amount of GM material in honey is so small it should be dismissed - totally contradicting the views of the majority of beekeepers and their customers.
A major concern is that the Government may repeat this strategy of setting up rigged conferences and committees throughout the whole national debate about GM crops - and thus silence the voices of sceptical scientists and experts. The most important national decisions on GM crops will not be made by the Public Debate but by the carefully managed Science and Economics Committees that the Government is setting up in parallel with the debate. An unnamed Government minister has already told the media that this debate is just a "PR offensive" and said: "They're calling it a consultation, but don't be in any doubt, the decision is already taken."(2) The Government knows that it would lose a genuinely open debate on GM crops and that rigging the debate is the only way they can win. This could be their biggest ever spin operation." ENDS
John Salt President, Moray Beekeepers Sunningdale, Forres, Moray,IV36 2RU Scotland. Tel/Fax...+44(0)1309 673703 E-mail: j.j.salt@bees-trees.demon.co.uk
Notes.
1. John Salt, President of Moray Beekeepers, is available for interviews on 01309 673703
2. Financial Times-July8,2002'Public consultation on GM crops 'just PR''; Daily Telegraph-July9,2002: 'Blair to head GM campaign'.
3. The full programme of the DEFRA/BBKA conference can be found on the BBKA website http://www.bbka.org.uk
New Apitherapy Course For Advanced Posted Tuesday, July 9, 2002 by webmaster
Dr. Stefan Stangaciu President of the German Apitherapy Society http://www.apitherapie.de International Apitherapy Consultant http://www.apitherapy.com Dear Sirs, You may know that among the healthiest people on earth are the beekeepers. They live 3-8 years longer than the rest of the population! One of the reasons why they live so long is that they usually consume at least one of the main bee products: honey, bee pollen, royal jelly or propolis. We make an open invitation to you to start thinking that the beehive products may also help you, your best friends or your family members ! We offer you the possibility to learn more of the therapeutically properties of bee products by joining our Program "Be healthy through Bee Products". You can join anytime the Internet Course already given in over 38 countries all over the world by Dr. Stefan Stangaciu, our Apitherapy expert. He is one of the most known figures in the field of Apitherapy, being a Medical Doctor, specialized in Acupuncture and Ayurveda too. He is since March 1999 the President of the German Apitherapy Society. We would also like to offer you the possibility to join our Program and our Apitherapy Internet Course (AIC). We will also send you, only if you are really interested, our next message with the following data: · Why you may need an Apitherapy Internet Course (AIC) · What are the main goals of AIC · General structure of AIC · Level One, Level Two, Level Three (list with the over 95 Lessons) · Fees, technical computer requirements. We hope that our offer will increase your desire to learn more about the mystery of a beekeeper's life and help you and your best friends to live healthier and longer, as the beekeepers do! We look forward to hearing from you! Sincerely yours, Andrei Stangaciu, AIC Registration Department E-mail: apither@gmb.ro
NBU South-East Region Update June 2002 Posted Sunday, June 9, 2002 by webmaster
This issue of the CSL National Bee Unit's South East Region Newsletter aims to bring you up-to-date with the activities of the region's bee inspectors this season, and also the related bee disease research work currently being carried out at the NBU in Sand Hutton. From James Morton the South-Eastern Regional Bee Inspector http://www.beedata.com/news/fb070602.htm
Pyrethroid resistant mites found in Cornwall Posted Friday, May 24, 2002 by webmaster
From NBU South West Region 20th May 2002. A new case of Pyrethroid resistant mites found in Cornwall more information can be found on "News and Events" page of the British Beekeepers Association website URL: http://www.bbka.org.uk
New FAQ for the public about bees Posted Monday, May 20, 2002 by webmaster
This new FAQ covers Honeybees, Bumblebees, Solitary bees and Wasps written by an experienced Kent Beekeeper, Peter Hutton. URL http://www.kentbee.com/faq-bees.htm
Honey of a Threat Posted Thursday, May 16, 2002 by webmaster
An all-natural, organic food, honey has a benign—if not wholesome—image. Many people consider it a superior alternative to table sugar and corn syrup—two primary sweeteners in the U.S diet. However, honey has the potential to carry some very disturbing plant poisons to the dinner table, an international trio of scientists reports. The World Health Organization has already identified these toxins—pyrrolizidine alkaloids—as a serious human health threat. In Europe, the toxins are coming under regulation, but only where they occur in herbal medicines. Article by Janet Raloff http://www.sciencenews.org/20020427/food.asp
Bees trapped by sex sting Posted Thursday, May 16, 2002 by webmaster
Through history, many lustful victims have been entrapped by the lure of sex but the natural world has revealed a truly bizarre example of the honeytrap. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_734000/734916.stm
Bees to 'sniff out' explosives Posted Thursday, May 16, 2002 by webmaster
Honeybees could be the latest recruits into the US war on terror, says the Pentagon. http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1986000/1986769.stm
Feral honeybees and the facts Posted Monday, May 6, 2002 by webmaster
This article written by Peter Hutton, will help educate the general public about feral honeybees.URL: http://www.kentbee.com/feralhoneybees.htm
The re-launched Bee Biz issue No.13 April 2002 Posted Thursday, April 18, 2002 by webmaster
Bee Biz - The international English language magazine for the professional beekeeper. Subscribers will be able to collect their copy at the Northern Bee Books stand on April 27th at the British Beekeepers Association Spring convention and exhibition, Stoneleigh, Coventry, England. The re-launched issue is available to download FREE from the beedata website today. Visit the URL: http://www.beedata.com/beebiz/
Organic Honey in the UK Posted Thursday, April 18, 2002 by webmaster
Organic Honey is regulated by strict set of guidelines, which covers not only the origin of bees, but also the siting of the apiaries. The standards indicate that the apiaries must be on land that is certified as organic and be such that within a radius of 4 miles from the apiary site, nectar and pollen sources consist essentially of organic crops or uncultivated areas. Also enough distance must be maintained from non agricultural production sources that may lead to contamination, for example from urban centres, motorways, industrial areas, waste dumps, waste incinerators. The 4 miles guideline originates from research done by The National Pollen Research Institute, which is the maximum distance bee's travel from their hives. These strict guidlines mean that is almost impossible for any UK producer to be certified as organic. Therefore as you pointed out most organic honey is unfortunately imported. Helen Ireland (Information and Supporter Services Officer) Soil Association. More information on the campaign for organic food http://www.beedata.com/news/organichoney.htm Our thanks to Peter Edwards for bringing this to our attention.
Farmers Markets Posted Wednesday, April 3, 2002 by webmaster
We are looking for more local beekeepers to sell their honey at our markets. Local honey really sells well at our markets and we offer low fees to beekeepers. We have Markets in Blackheath, Peckham and East London as well as markets in other parts of London. Please could you see if any of your members are interested in this proposal. Thanks. Mark Handley, London Farmers' Markets, 6 St Paul Street London N1 7AB Tel:020-7704-9659 Fax:020-7359-1938 Email:info@lfm.org.uk http://www.lfm.org.uk WE GROW EVERYTHING WE SELL.
City news, Chinese honey alert Feb 22 2002 Posted Friday, March 8, 2002 by webmaster
Tests carried out by the Food Standards Agency on Chinese and blended honey on sale in the UK have revealed the presence of a chloramphenicol, an antibiotic. The presence of this chemical in honey is illegal. The risks associated with eating this honey are very small, and the advice from the Food Standards Agency is that consumers may continue to use any honey that they have started to consume. Environmental Health Officers at Coventry City Council have written to all retailers to inform them that they must withdraw from sale any stocks of this honey they have in their shops. The honey, which must be withdrawn from sale, is any honey originating from China, and blended honey containing Chinese honey. Blended honey should be assumed to have a Chinese component unless labelling clearly excludes this. Foods containing honey such as breakfast cereals, Greek pastries glazed with honey or honey glazed hams are not affected. Retailers have been advised to contact their suppliers for details of the withdrawal arrangements.
Seasonal Bee Inspector Vacancies with the National Bee Unit Posted Friday, March 8, 2002 by webmaster
The closing date for applications is 18th March 2002. More details from the URL: http://www.beedata.com/news/nbu-se-fbjobs.htm
Residues of Antibiotics found in Imported Honey Posted Tuesday, March 5, 2002 by webmaster
Residues of antibiotics found in imported honey. See the URL for more info.
http://www.beedata.com/news/antibiotic-res-imported-honey-feb02.htm
South East Region Foulbood Incidence 2001 Report Posted Wednesday, February 6, 2002 by webmaster
Latest report and map from James Morton showing the distribution of comfirmed foul brood cases in the NBU South East Region 2001. http://www.beedata.com/news/foulbrood-nbu2001-report.htm
National Honey Week 2002 4th - 10th February 2002 Posted Saturday, February 2, 2002 by webmaster
National Honey Week 2002 4th - 10th February 2002 visit the Honey Association website http://www.honeyassociation.com or http://www.beefarmers.co.uk for more details.
New Bee Biz Editor Posted Tuesday, December 11, 2001 by webmaster
Northern Bee Books has had a certain amount of difficulty finding an editor for Bee Biz. The magazine started so well and people felt that there was a need for a bee mag which covered the semi commercial field that I was loath to stop it. John Phipps, the Editor of BKQ has agreed to be the new editor of Bee Biz e-mail: jdphipps@otenet.gr The next issue will be published whenever - but I would expect early Spring. Jerry NBB
Neglected Apiaries Posted Tuesday, November 27, 2001 by webmaster
Dear All, Now that winter is finally here, I am updating my records of the location of apiaries within the South East Region. Recently a number of beekeepers have contacted me who were concerned about apparently abandoned or neglected apiaries they have discovered. These obviously can sometimes pose a serious disease risk to other apiaries in the area. However, more often than not neither I nor my Seasonal Bee Inspectors are aware of their existence, so we have not been able to visit them and inspect them for disease. Consequently, I am now writing to let you know that I would very much like to hear about any such apiaries you may have noticed and that you may be concerned about. All I need to add them to my records is a clear description of where they are (ideally with a map reference, but this is not essential) along with details of the number and condition of hives present. Then next season, if necessary I can make arrangements to have them inspected to make sure all is well.
Our practice in the case of such neglected apiaries is to first attempt to make contact with the owner (if there is one) before examining the colonies, either through the landowner or by leaving an appointment letter attached to the hive. We always protect the privacy of the person who drew our attention to the colonies in the first place unless instructed otherwise.
I hope that you will feel free to get in touch if I can be of any help in this respect. James Morton South-Eastern Regional Bee Inspector, Central Science Laboratory, National Bee Unit Tel/fax: 020 8571 6450 Mobile: 07719 924 418 E-mail: j.morton@csl.gov.uk
Working Victorian Bee Hives Posted Monday, November 19, 2001 by webmaster
Saturday 2nd February - Sunday 10th March 2002 - Hodsock Priory Gardens, Blyth, Nottinghamshire. Snowdrop Spectacular and Unique Working Victorian Apiary, eight remarkable bee-hives, some resembling Victorian follies. More information and photographs http://www.beedata.com/news/hadsock2002.htm
Putting the Buzz Back into the Environment Posted Tuesday, November 13, 2001 by webmaster
News Release Issued on behalf of the British Beekeepers Association. Claire Waring, BBKA Press Information. Tel: 01933 650297 Putting the Buzz Back into the Environment. Bees play an essential role in the Environment - pollinating rare wild flowers, fruit and vegetable crops. The humble Bumble bee, ever busy worker honey bee and the various species of native British bees all have specific places in the ecological order. The complex social interaction of the amazing honey bee - kept by over 30,000 people in the UK and many millions worldwide - provides a wonderful insight into community living. This week the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) will be launching a new campaign to promote the benefits of bees in the environment - 'Putting the Buzz Back into the Environment' - at the National Honey Show on Friday 16 November at Kensington Town Hall at 1.30pm. Press are invited to attend the launch and the 70th National Honey Show - a unique event covering every aspect of beekeeping and judging the quality of many thousands of jars of honey. The event presents a wonderful opportunity to understand the life of the bee, its ecological importance and just how it produces the jar of honey in the cupboard in 98% of UK households. Other topics of potential news interest at the National Honey Show includes: Apitherapy and the use of extracted bee venom for health stimulation, presented by the world's leading authority from Cuba, Professor Roch Domerego. Egg decoration that is a national art practiced by Romanian beekeepers. Wax models wonderfully hand-carved and crafted from beeswax. The new BBKA exhibition stand and material is sponsored by Syngenta Crop Protection. BBKA education and research also aims to promote farming practices that encourage bees - both honey bees and native species - in the environment. For further Press Information please contact: Claire Waring, BBKA, Stoneycroft, Back lane, Little Addington, Northants. NN14 4AX Tel/Fax: 01933 650297 Email: claire@backlane.demon.co.uk
Apimondia Conference 2005 Posted Friday, November 9, 2001 by webmaster
We offer our sincerest congratulations to the Eire Beekeepers' Asociation for being awarded the Apimondia conference in 2005. The Eire bid overcome a very strong challenge from the Australian Beekeepers' Association. We understand that Eire's Prime Minnister Bertie O'Herne personally involved himself in the bidding process.The Apimondia conference will be good for beekeeping and especially for the UK beekeeping industry. Well done to our colleagues for all their hard work...........our best wishes to them. Michael Badger President of the British Beekeepers' Association.
Confirmed presence of pyrethroid resistant varroa in the UK Posted Tuesday, September 4, 2001 by webmaster
The National Bee Unit has just confirmed the presence of pyrethroid resistant varroa in the UK. Resistance to fluvalinate, the active ingredient of Apistan has been confirmed by laboratory testing in mites from an apiary in Devon, and field tests give strong reason to suspect resistance in other apiaries in the same area. It is almost certain that these mites will also be resistant to other pyrethroids including flumethrin, the active ingredient of Bayvarol.
Full details are available from the CSL website: http://www.csl.gov.uk I will be providing further information and advice as the situation develops. In the meanwhile, if you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch. James Morton South-Eastern Regional Bee Inspector Central Science Laboratory
National Bee Unit Tel/fax: 020 8571 6450 Mobile: 07719 924 418 E-mail: j.morton@csl.gov.uk
70th National Honey Show Posted Thursday, August 9, 2001 by webmaster
The 2001 Schedule for the National Honey Show is now available from their website http://www.honeyshow.co.uk Read the lecture programme, FREE download of all National Honey Show publications and more.
Weather bees Posted Sunday, July 15, 2001 by webmaster
Honey bees have been seen as a good meteorological indicator for centuries.
That most creatures, are more sensitive to slight changes in pressure, humidity, temperature and wind than are humans, imbues them with an element of prophecy in the human's eyes. The honey bee has been regarded as a useful indicator of meteorological fluctuations for many centuries. The ancient Greeks believed that that bees stayed close to home when a storm as imminent, while north Africans thought that the tone and pitch of their buzzing varied with the weather.
Old English weather lore mirrors what the Greeks thought:
When bees to distance wing their flight Days are warm and skies are bright:
But when their light ends near their home Stormy weather is sure to come.
A long-term study conducted at Rothamsted Experimental Station in Hertfordshire by Dr Colin Butler revealed no link between the activity of honey bees and weather variations. But these results were countered by research carried out by A.S.C. Deans of the North of Scotland College of Agriculture at Craibstone, near Aberdeen. He determined a substantail difference in the bees' behaviour between light rain and heavy rain; foraging bees perish rapidly in a downpour , but light rain has little effect and he found that bees are generally outward bound in morning drizzle. It does not hinder nectar collection and sometimes the secretion of nectar is most efficient when the air is very moist. When bees are far from their hives, Dean suggested, they are likely to head for home when the sky was clouding over. His argument was that bees need some clear sky to help orientation on long journeys, and that any working more than 500 yards from the hive stand little chance of returning safely under overcast conditions.
Daily Telegraph July 14th 2001
(Dr. Colin Butler was in his hayday at Rothamstead in the 1950/60's -Rex Boys)
Honey Fights Cancer Posted Thursday, June 28, 2001 by webmaster
The following article appeared in the Metro paper June 25 2001, and may be of interest: "Honey has been found to contain health-giving chemicals which fight heart disease and cancer. Scientists revealed yesterday they had extracted antioxidant compounds from seven varieties of honey made from different flowers. Antioxidants mop up dangerous free radical compounds which can damage cells and DNA and are believed to cause a number of serious diseases. Dark coloured honey is especially good at removing these free radicals. The findings were made by US researchers from the University of Illinois. They are now studying whether honey can ease cholesterol oxidation of the blood, a process which causes narrowing of the arteries." Posted By: Jim Cooper cooperjr@x-stream.co.uk on the Beedata Beekeeping Bulletin Board.
UK Local Honey Producers Online Database Posted Saturday, June 23, 2001 by webmaster
Internet Search Engine for UK Local Honey Producers - This is a 100% automated online UK database URL: http://www.beedata.com/localhoney
During our English Summer media coverage about honey has increased awareness of the health benefits of local honey. Finding a local beekeeper with truly local honey can be a difficult task until now. With our new website the public looking for local honey need only to search using their Town, City, County or even Postcode and get instant results of the nearest beekeeper or food store selling local honey. UK Beekeepers who would like to be listed as selling local honey can become members by clicking on the appropriate link on the site. Members will be able edit or delete their entry in the database at anytime. Steven Turner st@zbee.com
BRITISH BUMBLEBEES AT THE BRINK Posted Saturday, June 16, 2001 by webmaster
BRITISH BUMBLEBEES AT THE BRINK: With "three of the 19 UK species" of bumblebees already extinct, and a another 9 on the "critically -endangered list," scientists are scrambling to halt the decline says BBC News 5/5. "Largely due to intensive farming practices" the bees are disappearing at "such an alarming rate" that they could be "wiped out within a few years." Since the bees are "major pollinators of wild flowers" their "die out" would be a "tragedy and an environmental disaster." (C) ESC/GREEN (msg from bumbus-L)
CEPANE Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2001 by webmaster
1 -We are members of CEPANE- a Brazilian non-profit organization involved in beekeeping and bee research in Northeast Brazil with the poor rural communities, a region stricken by severe droughts and very serious water shortages. The population living under the minimum level of poverty is very wide. The Brazilian Government policies to modernize the countryside favor only the large farmers which deal with cash crops export oriented, while the small farmers are completely forgotten. This problem is responsible for the large waves of peasants leaving the countryside and settling in the large cities in slums. Other small farmers join the political land-less movements with frequent conflicts which generates violence.
CEPANE works in a way as not harming the environment, so that in all its projects are designed to help the poor communities of Northeast Brazil without causing any environmental impact. The main goal it is always to keep the bee production in a rational and communitary way, helping the people with technical orientation and guidance which the conventional beekeeping do not allow. We in CEPANE have the duty to teach the poor peasants for a better survival approach, that is, raising small animals adapted to the region within the sustainable agricultural techniques preserving the biodiversity and utilizing the sustainable resources available at a local level, so that generating self-sufficiency and so assuring a stable source of income for the small farmers and their families with the purpose to strengthen the rural communities and the integration of men in their environment.
2 -CEPANE's Technical Director, Mr Mario Lemos, is a well known and famous bee Expert in Northeast Brazil, who has been involved in many successful projects.
3 -CEPANE is very interested in receiving technical and financial support of the international community with the purpose to continue its objectives to help the poor community of Northeast Brazil. To do so, CEPANE is prepared to detail the framework of each project with each sponsoring institution upon receiving a message from each institution showing interest in mutual cooperation in the development of the poor community of Northeast Brazil.
4- CEPANE would appreciate receiving pamphlets, technical literature, books and journals and other technical bulletins from your organization, which could be mailed to our address below:
CEPANE
Rua Dr Mario Negocio, 17
Centro
59590-000 São Bento do Norte - RN
Brazil
Yours Sincerely
Joao Lemos CEPANE Representative
Paulista - PE - Brazil
Phone 55-81-34341126
Fax 55-81-34344128
cepane@hotlink.com.br
370 papers submitted for the APIMONDIA congress in Durban, South Africa Posted Monday, May 7, 2001 by webmaster
The APIMONDIA congress in Durban, South Africa from the 28th October to 1st November 2001 is a success measured on the number of papers submitted to be presented at the congress. The executive council of APIMONDIA and the South African Organisers met last weekend, 27-29 April 2001 in Rome, Italy, to work through the final details. 370 papers have been submitted to date. That is 100 more than for the last congress in Vancouver, Canada, and still more papers are received for the Workshop and Symposia sessions. The Presidents of the Standing Commissions have done the selection of those papers that are going to be presented at the congress. They were impressed by the number of papers and their quality. The detailed programme for the congress is ready with 25 sessions showing a wide variety of topics. A selection of the worlds leading experts is going to present key note lectures at plenary sessions or chair specialist meetings. DEADLINE DATE FOR EARLY REGISTRATION: 10 JUNE 2001. Dr Adriaan P du Toit Tel & Fax: 012 8081762 Cell phone: 083 306 1446
Help publicise the 2001 National Honey Show Posted Sunday, April 22, 2001 by webmaster
Help publicise the 2001 National Honey Show by downloading a PDF file from the URL shown below, which will print to a A4 black and white poster for putting on notice boards in schools and as many public places as possible. http://www.beedata.com/files/nhs2001ad.pdf Thanks for your help.
Beekeepers and Foot and Mouth Disease Posted Monday, March 12, 2001 by webmaster
I've been getting quite a few enquiries from beekeepers about the implications of Foot and Mouth disease when visiting their apiaries on farm land and other places where susceptible animals are kept. This has become more pertinant for many beekeepers now that a confirmed case of FMD has been found in Kent. The best advice I can give is to only visit such apiaries when absolutely necessary, and to make sure that you obtain the permission of the landowner first. It is very likely that you will be expected to disinfect footwear and vehicles when entering and leaving the site. In Infected Areas, the restrictions are going to be more stringent and it may become impossible to visit apiaries for a time. It may therefore make sense to plan ahead and ensure colonies have plenty of food and several supers at the next visit. The MAFF Foot and Mouth website at http://www.maff.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/default.htm has a good deal useful information about the disease and precautions to take to avoid spreading it when working in the countryside.If I can be of any help, please let me know. James Morton South-Eastern Regional Bee Inspector, Central Science Laboratory, National Bee Unit. Tel/fax: 020 8571 6450 Mobile: 07719 924 418 E-mail: j.morton@csl.gov.uk Web: http://www.csl.gov.uk Address: 'Geertje', Canal Lock 92, Windmill Lane, Southall, Middx, UB24NH
Live beekeeping experiment on a website Posted Wednesday, March 7, 2001 by webmaster
This is a live beekeeping experiment with monthly updates on a website. Read the document at: http://www.beedata.com/data3/experiment
Author: Ian Rumsey Address: Morris Green Farm, Morris Green, Sible Hedingham, Halstead, Essex C09 3LU Email: ianrumsey@hotmail.com
Borage Posted Tuesday, January 23, 2001 by lester
Due to a slump in the world oil seed market and an oversupply of Borage oil there probably will be no commercially grown Borage in the UK this year. This will come as a body blow to many beekeepers, amateur and professional alike.
Borage is grown in a number of areas in the eastern half of England and the bulk has been concentrated in East Yorkshire, with annual acreages in excess of 5000 in recent years. Because seed set improves by up to 20% with bee pollination thousands of hives were moved across and into the county each year.Farmers and contract agents wanted our bees and had begun offering inducements to make sure they got them. This had stopped short of fees except in a few cases.
Taking your bees to the Borage had become a way of getting averages of 100lbs per hive for 4 weeks of the flow in July. It looks like this is a thing of the past, at least for this year, and possibly 2002. The water white honey we have been used to marketting as a highly desirable mono floral will be in pretty short supply. I for one will be looking for a few 'non spring rape' sites this summer.
Lester Quayle. Chairman Beverley District BKA
Promotion and development in Mauritania Posted Thursday, January 11, 2001 by webmaster
We are an agency of promotion and development in Mauritania. We note year after year a rejuvenation of the acacia forest in several areas. We would wish to study the possibilities of bee-keeping activity. All the fields interest us: skills, land development, socio-economy, institutional, supply of hardware, technology transfer and training.
If you are interested in business opportunities in Mauritania on these subjects let us know and we will be able to exchange more concrete information. Jean-Marie GUICHAOUA, manager.
BSA Ingénierie
73 rue 23-018
BP 4971
Nouakchott
Tel. 222 25 04 05
Fax 222 25 04 07
Trapping and tracing pollen movement Posted Tuesday, December 12, 2000 by webmaster
Trapping pollen from the air is one of the ways in which scientists can identify and monitor the movement of pollens. Considering the current debate surrounding GM crops and the probability of its cross contamination with conventional crops, reliable methods of collecting the pollen and giving correct times and locations for the samples are invaluable. Burkard Scientific Ltd offer volumetric samplers for continuous monitoring of airborne particles, including pollen, over 7 day and 24 hour periods. The samplers have large vanes which makes them sensitive to small changes in wind direction and, as this type of equipment is frequently away from a mains power supply, as well as having mains voltage it can also he used with a lead cell and solar power.
The samples are collected by cans of a vacuum pump (working at a rate of 10 litres per second) and the 7-day instrument uses an adhesive coated transparent tape onto which the particles become fixed. After 7 days the tape is moved and stretched out on a perspex block to reveal 8 one-day periods, one of which is graduated into 24 one hour periods. The tape is divided up using a scalpel and trapped pollen grains can then be assessed. For continuous 24hour sampling, the instrument is provided with an assembly unit for sampling onto standard glass microscope slides.
Contact: Burkard Scientific at + 44 (0) 1895 230056 or visit their web site: http://www.burkardscientific.co.uk
Link between wax moth and European foulbrood Posted Tuesday, December 12, 2000 by webmaster
The American Bee journal (August 1999) carries an article 'The Protection of Honey Combs from Wax Moths' by jean-Daniel Charriere and Anton Imdorf from the Swiss Federal Dairy Research Station, Bern, Switzerland, which reveals a link between the prevalence of wax moth and outbreaks of EFB:
"Adult wax moths cause no damage because their mouth parts are atrophied. They do not feed during their adult life. Only larvae feed. and destroy combs. However, adult wax moths and their larvae can transfer pathogens of serious bee diseases (eg foulbrood). In colonies infested with foulbrood, the faeces of wax moths contain large amounts of Paenibacillus larvae spores*".
* Borchert A, 1966 Die Krankheiten und Shadlinge der Honigbiene. (Diseases and pests of the honey bee).
("Link between wax moth and European foulbrood" the quote which follows refers to paenibacillus larvae, the bacterial cause for AFB rather than the bacterium mellisococcus pluton which is the cause of EFB. I therefore suggest the article should indicate a
possible link between wax moth and AFB and not EFB. Web Editor)
