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Thread: Small Hive Beetle in mainland Europe

  1. #21

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    Nothing on NBU site yet.

  2. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jon View Post
    Hope you are right MBC but the authorities should do everything possible to prevent the arrival of a new pest.
    100% agree
    It likely has to potential to do a lot of damage in the South of England where it is a bit warmer than oop north.
    It prefers sandy soils, so they say.

  3. #23

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    Quote Originally Posted by mbc View Post
    It prefers sandy soils, so they say.
    Bu**ar! My hives are on sandy soil.

  4. #24
    Senior Member Jon's Avatar
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  5. #25
    Administrator gavin's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jon View Post
    Hmmnn. Take a look at the official record of imports from EU countries for 2014.

    https://secure.fera.defra.gov.uk/bee...portReport.cfm

    Italy 2014: Nearly three thousand *recorded* imported queens (second greatest Europe source, in 27 consignments), one consignment inspected.

    Italy 2013: Italy was the EU country sending the greatest number of packages to the UK. 800 of them. Three consignments inspected.

    So, what now? Wait to see what really is happening in Italy? Demand that the doors are closed right now to bees from Italy? Demand that the doors are closed to any importation from anywhere? Why are we importing so many bees and queens anyway - there seems no earthly reason why we cannot raise the bee stocks needed ourselves. Of course, there is also a risk from other bulk transport but moving bees must be a huge risk.
    Last edited by gavin; 16-09-2014 at 08:44 AM.

  6. #26
    Senior Member prakel's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gavin View Post
    Italy 2014: Nearly three thousand *recorded* imported queens
    I never quite understand why people would go to the trouble to sneak in bees from EU countries when it can so easily be done legally. If anything, I'd be questioning whether an operation that smuggles bees in is actually trying to remain under the radar to hide an existing disease issue in their own stocks which has so far gone unreported.

  7. #27

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    Nothing in NBU notice to say imports from Italy are banned.
    Should be.

  8. #28
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    There seem to be very few inspections of imported material in the Defra report.

  9. #29
    Senior Member fatshark's Avatar
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    There is a recent precedent for the precautionary principle being used to protect honeybee health. Perhaps there would be a two year moratorium imposed on imports?

  10. #30

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    imported Queens should be a very low risk compared to packages
    The escort bees are changed and the cage replaced before queens are sold on
    The cages and escort bees are handed over for checking by Defra

    By contrast somebody driving to Italy and collecting hundreds of packages without brood
    Then returning and putting them in a hive with imported queens of another breed is a health minefield
    I realise people who make their living from bees get leeway and subsidy
    Sadly with 500 empty hives to fill one might say its time to get better at the job or do something else

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