Oxalic Acid

[Erichalfbee]

Yup, done that now.

I think a few of us have.

 

[Wilco]

I think, (and I stress that I am not an expert in animal product legislation, just human), that it should be possible to apply for a license to use OA (without fairy dust) as a treatment for varroa through existing data (as a bibliographic application). Plenty of reported evidence and its not a new entity, so should reduce or eliminate need for additional expensive trials to prove efficacy. Should fit under the MU/MS system (Minor Species/Minor Use) guidance. Its still not cheap though, and there is an ongoing cost to support the regulatory submission once on market (annual submissions, pharmacovigilance etc). It would cost one 5K to get a scientific meeting with the VMD to discuss the options, and 30K to just submit a dossier for review, without anyone collating / authoring the application.

What has stopped a veterinary medicines producer doing this up to now is that there is no intellectual property to prevent other manufacturers using the initial submission as an access point to market, together with, until now, free availability of OA from any old source. This gives limited to no potential for a return on the investment involved to get to market as it stands. However If OA price skyrockets due to restricted availability, then it might just make sense for a company / organization to promote this, or at least look at feasibility.

What we need is a beekeeper with some Veterinary knowledge who is young enough to spend years battling the authorities to get it though the registrations - preferably one who would enjoy the prospect of earning a few quid, eventually selling repacked generic OA at a reasonable margin to thousands of beekeepers who are already breaking the rules and would be pleased to buy a legitimate product at a fair price...perhaps someone who has already dabbled into beekeeping supply with a few hives under their belt and some free time, proximity to London might help ...

Argyle enterprises is too old for that much effort - I'll stick to bee leg warmers and tin foil hats and I've no veterinary experience. I'd chuck my few quid into a crowd fund though ...

Anyone on here fit the bill ...

The earliest this can be applied for is the next year or two due to beekeeping meds having an extended period of monopoly relative to normal vet meds IIRC.

If people are up for working together on the dossier a well as the funding, I'm game.

Edit- we may also need to approach one of the OA manufacturers too.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Are we talking 5kg or 500kg here?

I couldn't possibly comment

 

[Erichalfbee]

If people are up for working together on the dossier a well as the funding, I'm game.

I’m hopeless at this sort of thing but I can canvas other beekeepers and send money

 

[Newbeeneil]

Yup, done that now.

Sssshhhhhh Archie, you were supposed to go off comms as well!!!!

 

[Wilco]

Sssshhhhhh Archie, you were supposed to go off comms as well!!!!