Should I be worried

[Hughesie]

I am thinking of putting a couple of hives on some land which is about half a mile away from an Apiary which last year had EFB .

Would you be concerned about this ?

 

[Somerford]

You obviously know about the EFB outbreak, this is good for starters.

Look at it from 3 perspectives :

1. The Apiary concerned was dealt with in the proper way, and no EFB remains. It was an outbreak that has been dealt with, it may never happen again.

2. The Apiary concerned was dealt with in the proper way but, and I am being theoretical here, disease was spread to local wild colonies via normal bee/hive transfer and therefore there is now possibly a local source for EFB to break out in the future.

3. Do you think that commercial beekeepers mitigate their work by ensuring their colonies when dispersed around the country are not within a known outbreak zone ? How are they to know 100% ? It doesn't stop them !

On balance, you would probably be at no more risk than even keeping bees in the very same apiary....but make sure that visitors to your apiary are clean !

regards

S

 

[oliver90owner]

Apiary which last year had EFB

Is this apiary still in use? If so, the highest risk is re-infection in that apiary.

That could spread from such an occurrence, of course. Apart from that, as Somerford.

Just a little more care than normal may be required to minimise any small risk.

Regards, RAB

 

[Haughton Honey]

3. Do you think that commercial beekeepers mitigate their work by ensuring their colonies when dispersed around the country are not within a known outbreak zone ? How are they to know 100% ? It doesn't stop them !

And I would suspect that many would never report an outbreak of EFB, but would simply 'deal' with the matter themselves.....

I know of one commercial bod not too far away from me (also a BIBBA founder member as it happens) who has recurring EFB most years and has openly said in front of me that he never reports it.

 

[drstitson]

WPC - non reporting of EFB

WPC - good work. i presume that at least one NBU inspector must be signed up to the BKF and from the information provided be able to identify the rogue beek who this coming year, presumably will now feel the weight of the 2006 control order unless he mends his ways.

"In accordance with section 1(7) of the Bees Act 1980 (c. 12), breach of any provision of the Order or of any condition imposed by any licence issued under the Order constitutes an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5000)."

 

[Haughton Honey]

WPC - good work. i presume that at least one NBU inspector must be signed up to the BKF and from the information provided be able to identify the rogue beek who this coming year, presumably will now feel the weight of the 2006 control order unless he mends his ways.

"In accordance with section 1(7) of the Bees Act 1980 (c. 12), breach of any provision of the Order or of any condition imposed by any licence issued under the Order constitutes an offence punishable on summary conviction by a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5000)."

One can only hope...............