Irradated pollen?

[Poly Hive]

found two suppliers thanks to my Australian contact, request for prices sent so now I wait.

Interesting though that my Australian friend could find it in seconds when my search threw up nothing in aus. Google is not as universal as it lays claim to it would appear.

PH

 

[jezd]

very interested in your feedback PH

 

[Poly Hive]

Still awaiting replies.

PH

 

[wilderness]

found two suppliers thanks to my Australian contact, request for prices sent so now I wait.

Interesting though that my Australian friend could find it in seconds when my search threw up nothing in aus. Google is not as universal as it lays claim to it would appear.

PH

Did you search using www.google.com.au?

I try to use the local Google search engine if I'm looking for something specific to that country. I think Google is universal but with local flavours.

 

[Poly Hive]

In my inbox this morning.


Hello PH

In Australian dollars prices are as follows:
1 kg pollen - irradiated $31.82
Air mail $45.20

Anyone interested pm me for info. £48.3947 per kilo. £21.99 per pound.

PH

 

[Storm™]

Might be worth a detailed look at this as well.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/bips/pdf/bipmanual.pdf

 

[Poly Hive]

I don't have all day to go through that little lot Storm, what point are you making? There are 159 pages for goodness sake.

PH

 

[Storm™]

I don't have all day to go through that little lot Storm, what point are you making?

Ill get right on with that then your ladyship. Tut.

 

[Poly Hive]

What are you on about?

If there is something in that doc that impinges on the importation of pollen then let us know?

PH

 

[drstitson]

page 79 - bee pollen is listed as a by-product that needs veterinary checks

however if anyone interested, bongo drums are exempt!!!!

 

[Poly Hive]

8 phone calls later, and more of my time, DEFRA are checking.

PH

 

[Hombre]

So, given the track record thus far, would an import of 1kg of irradiated pollen merely pass through customs on the nod or sit and rot while the powers that be asked around between themselves what should happen next.

Meanwhile pollen substitute might be usefully doing the job that the product in the pound at great expense was destined to do.

Of course, if received much before April, it could always be used next year when it has about 10% of it's original efficacy.

I'm inclined to agree with you PH, that you probably have better things to do with your time.

Searching for an "A" class answer to a mute question is always going to be a bit contentious.

The route seems to be somewhat fraught and perhaps we should all be trapping some of our own pollen, after learning how to look after it properly.

 

[Poly Hive]

I am working on this from two issues really.

One is that whilst trapping pollen is in essence simple enough, the devil as ever is in the detail. Cleaning it principally, and of course the not so unimportant matter of spreading disease.

My main reason for seeking out sterilised pollen is twofold again.

I firmly believe that substitutes are just that, and the efficacy is dubious. the 2nd reason is a rehash of above, the pollen is far more effective as a stimulant, it is clean and sterile.

Having used it for many years I am keen to continue esp as at the moment my bees are unable to collect anything. But are active enough to be able to take good advantage of pollen patties.

I am left wondering whether if I had just sent the money to Aus and they sent it direct to me whether the powers that bee would have blinked. They noticeably were unable to distinguish between sterile pollen and pollen. *shrug*

Did I really expect some sort of expertise from a Gov dept?

PH

 

[Hombre]

At a somewhat lesser price point, then a punt might have been worth it, but I agree that you don't want to be paying for something that is going to cause time wasting issues that might end up with your money being wasted.

I also accept that cleaning and storage is a problem area to the uninitiated and it's just a shame that there isn't some way to get irradiated pollen, or pollen irradiated cheaply in the UK. I'm sure that where products are being irradiated, there must be space wasted that could be usefully sold for small projects at a fill up rate.

A bit like amateur satellites being launched freely/cheaply on commercial or governmental boosters as ballast.

It seems that access to such facilities in US and possibly Australia for small scale useers is available without breaking the bank.

 

[Black Comb]

I suppose the second best option is to buy Neopoll which is "guaranteed free from disease or contaminants" and does contain pollen.

 

[Poly Hive]

I'm inclined to agree that a pre made feed with pollen is the best way to go.

In years gone by I had access to irridated pollen from Spain via a mentor. However things change.

On saying that there must be an EU supplier which would make the whole matter less complex.

We will see what transpires.

Cleaning pollen is a tricky business and I already refused an offer of pollen a week ago as it was from a non sterile source.

Just found this thread though. http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=195689

And this lot shows promise. http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=po...s=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a

Found a UK supplier and am checking whether it is sterile or not.
PH

 

[Hivemaker.]

Irradiation is quite common for food products nowadays,perhaps find a place and have it done yourself.English company, selling None irradiated pollen from spain below, in 25kg quantitys.

http://www.beewell.co.uk/shop/detai...96-kilos-of-pure-wild--bee-pollen-powder.html

 

[Storm™]

You could always irradiate yourself. As far as I have read you require a source of gamma radiation. Not sure of the strength. As far as I remember common house smoke detectors contain a radioactive source. Am 241 if I remember rightly. If again I remember rightly it is both an alpha and gamma source. Irradiation of things depends on several things. Time distance and shielding. I would imagine the exposure time would-be short done the usual way but you could achieve the same effect over a longer time period. Course if I am wrong about the smoke detector there is always granite. That's a gamma emitter. So are brazil nuts believe it or not. In fact they are very radioactive lol. I'd try looking at your house smoke detector. Radiation has a cumulative effect. At a guess a week might do it. But that's a rough guess.

 

[Finman]

.
HUGE JOB

Here the importer has responsibility that the pollen is really irradiated.
I heard that is was enormous job when one guy got the the licence to import.

Then it came too good honey years and very few wanted to feed pollen.
He is selling now old pollen but it works fine in patty level.

I use 20% pollen and the rest on protein is yeast and HP100 soy milk replacer.

We have here several pollen sellers. It seems that Denmark Swienty sells too.

 

[Poly Hive]

I see.....

Ummm hmm....

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your enquiry received on the 7th of February 2011, regarding the import of Bee Pollen from Australia.

The import requirements will depend upon whether the product is for human consumption or for another use.

Human Consumption

The import requirements for Honey for Human Consumption are set out in Importer Information Note (IIN) BAL2b, as found through the link below;

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/iins/apiculture/bal2b.htm

The import must originate from an approved Third (non-EU) Country for the import of Honey. Australia is approved. The full Third Country list can be seen through the link below;

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2004D0432:20100615:EN:PDF

The import must originate in an establishment approved by the competent veterinary authority in the country of origin and be accompanied by the appropriate health certification, signed and stamped by an official veterinarian in the country of export, a model of which can be found in Appendix VI to Annex VI (Pg. 41-42) of Commission Regulation (EC) 2074/2005, as found through the link below;

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2005R2074:20090101:EN:PDF

Use in Apiculture

The import requirements for apiculture products for use in apiculture are set out in importer Information Note (IIN) BP13, as found through the link below;

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/iins/apiculture/bp13.htm

Imports must originate from a country listed in Annex II, Part 1 (Pg. 68-72) of Commission Regulation (EU) 206/2010, as found through the link below, which has replaced Commission Decision 79/542/EEC. Australia is an approved Third (non-EU) Country;

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:073:0001:0121:EN:PDF

The import must originate in an establishment approved by the competent veterinary authority in the country of origin and be accompanied by the appropriate health certification, signed and stamped by an official veterinarian in the country of export, a model of which can be found in Annex X, Chapter 13 (Pg. 188-189) of Commission Regulation (EC) 1774/2002, as found through the link below;

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2002R1774:20100728:EN:PDF

As per Annex VIII, Chapter IX, Point 5 of Commission Regulation (EC) 1774/2002, above, the importation of beeswax in the form of honeycomb shall be prohibited.

If the Honey is intended for any other purposes please advise what the purpose is and we will endeavour to advise you further.

As the product is being imported from a Third Country it is necessary for it to enter the UK through a Border Inspection Post (BIP). For a list of BIPs and their capabilities please follow the link below;

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/animaltrade/imports/bips/index.htm

You must give 24 hours prior notification by a Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) which can be obtained from your local Animal Health Office (AHO) or BIP. Part 1 must be completed and returned to the BIP of entry into the EU. Contact details for the Port Health authorities can be found through the link below;

http://www.apha.org.uk/port_directory.asp

Please read all the information carefully and ensure that your import can fully satisfy all the appropriate conditions and requirements.

Please note this information only covers the Animal Health import requirements and I would also recommend contacting Customs regarding their requirements;

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

This information only relates to imports into England. Should you wish to import animals/products into Scotland or Wales you will need to contact the relevant devolved authority.

I hope this has answered all of your questions,

Yours Sincerely,

Ben Crisp

Specialist Service Centre for Imports

Animal Health

Government Buildings,
Beeches Road,

Chelmsford,

CM1 2RU