EFB in Slinfold/Horsham area, West Sussex

[tkwinston4]

This email has been sent out as part of a 'disease alert' service to beekeepers, implemented by the National Bee Unit (NBU). At the end of each day, beekeepers will be notified if they have an apiary that is within 5KM of a new disease outbreak.

Please be advised that today 08/08/2011, the following disease has been confirmed within 5KM of one or more of your apiaries:

Disease Diagnosed: European Foulbrood (EFB)
Your Apiaries At Risk: Work

Please be vigilant and examine your colonies carefully, advising us if you have concerns. For help in recognizing disease, you can view our Foul Brood leaflet, or for more information please visit BeeBase online at http://www.nationalbeeunit.com

Priority Inspection Visits of apiaries will be continued in areas where disease has been confirmed.
If you have moved colonies into, or out of these apiaries since your last visit from the Bee Inspector - please advise us at your earliest convenience.
Your help and co-operation is, as always, greatly appreciated in completing these visits as swiftly as possible.

 

[region2]

EFB in East Sussex too

Was inspected today as there's EFB within 5km of my Apiary- found out there's EFB zero km from me - a small colony created as part of an AS 5 or 6 weeks ago - 3 seams - just had the early signs so adjacent hives were clear.
Killing them with petrol tonight as too small to treat/shook swarm.
Burning the bodies, wax and frame on Weds in front of the inspector - insurance claim there.
6 weeks before the next inspection to see if they can lift the stay put order.

R2

 

[enrico]

region2 I'm crying for you mate....

 

[Worldsend]

Very sorry to hear your news

Had the Bee Inspector to me on Sunday as EFB on Portsdown Hill Portsmouth-heard about it on this forum!! Thank you--Im clear at present

 

[oliver90owner]

That is tough. It happens. Only need a thoughtless beekeeper leaving out a honey spinner to be cleaned up by bees, from all over the area, to spread it far and wide.

Hope your others stay clear.

Your one colony claim will prejudice any further cover for some considerable time? Is it really worth the claim for a very few frames? Not sure how the system works but it is always a toss up whether to claim for one small colony, I would think.

RAB

 

[region2]

Deed done - loud buzz for a minute then silence...

I'm insured as part of my Division membership - don't think we get a no-claims discount. I'll report back here!

R2

 

[Winker]

Deed done - loud buzz for a minute then silence...

I'm insured as part of my Division membership - don't think we get a no-claims discount. I'll report back here!

R2

 

[oliver90owner]

don't think we get a no-claims discount.

Certainly not, but any subsequent claim would be considerably reduced as per the rules, clearly laid down, which prevents claims from the same site without prejudice.

RAB

 

[susbees]

Was inspected today as there's EFB within 5km of my Apiary- found out there's EFB zero km from me - a small colony created as part of an AS 5 or 6 weeks ago - 3 seams - just had the early signs so adjacent hives were clear.
Killing them with petrol tonight as too small to treat/shook swarm.
Burning the bodies, wax and frame on Weds in front of the inspector - insurance claim there.
6 weeks before the next inspection to see if they can lift the stay put order.

R2

Hope the rest stay clear for you. All the best.

 

[Luminos]

Sorry about your bees, R2

L

 

[region2]

...any subsequent claim would be considerably reduced as per the rules, clearly laid down...

Where can I read up on this - might be useful!?

R2

 

[harveyzone]

Where can I read up on this - might be useful!?

http://www.b b k a.org.uk/files/library/bdi_faq_for_website_1303999879.pdf (you may need to log in)

If claims have been made in the previous two consecutive seasons compensation will be reduced by 25%.
If claims have been made in the previous three consecutive seasons compensation will be reduced by 50%.

 

[beeatshellards]

yes, Im sorry too

 

[Erichalfbee]

Deed done - loud buzz for a minute then silence...

R2

so sad
Hope the rest are OK

 

[AndreaW]

Not good news. So sorry

 

[Chris B]

The BDI angle is interesting. The scheme is supposed to encourage beekeepers to report suspected foulbrood. Worrying about a no claims discount seems to me like the scheme could almost have the opposite effect.

R2 you won't be getting rich on your claim. The typical payout is about £65.

 

[region2]

Just read the documentation (thanks for the working link Tom) - seems pretty reasonable to me - replacement on a like for like basis (inspector reports on condition). If you're claiming for the 3rd year in a row (I'm not) 25% off, 4th year in a row 50% off. I'll be burning my crown board and 12 brood frames so not a huge claim. It's great that there's no excess!
[As an aside, the Defra paperwork says to burn the quilt - mine's a timber crown board so scorchable - I wonder if they'll insist on burning that?]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words - killing my colony wasn't the cheeriest thing I've had to do in my life and extraordinary to have to do it in my first full season...

R2

 

[Adam]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words - killing my colony wasn't the cheeriest thing I've had to do in my life and extraordinary to have to do it in my first full season...

R2

Commiserations. Such bad luck. The only good to come of the issue is that you'll be much better informed on disease in general, and will no doubt keep a really close eye on your colonies. It's a heartbreaking thing to petrol a colony - so hopefully to decisive action now will sort all future problems.

Adam

 

[region2]

Well, bees are incinerated, hive is scorched and a claim form is in my pocket.

Seems at least one nearby apiary has it too - DEFRA inspector wouldn't let on (data protection you know) but owner fessed up to me.

And as Adam says, a great lesson to have early on in my career!

R2

 

[alynewbee]

Deed done - loud buzz for a minute then silence...

I'm insured as part of my Division membership - don't think we get a no-claims discount. I'll report back here!

R2

That's sad, I feel for you, you've had a rough day.