Nothing on NBU site yet.
Nothing on NBU site yet.
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.
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.
Nothing in NBU notice to say imports from Italy are banned.
Should be.
There seem to be very few inspections of imported material in the Defra report.
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?
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
Bookmarks