- Joined
- Mar 30, 2011
- Messages
- 36,249
- Reaction score
- 16,200
- Location
- Glanaman,Carmarthenshire,Wales
- Hive Type
- National
- Number of Hives
- Too many - but not nearly enough
I'll put this here anyway regardless of what section it should be in - I know it's Ireland but there are a lot of old lead mines in Wales so it's why the WBKA has highlighted it. I think Wally is getting his knickers in a knot over nothing, but you never know!
"I have just picked up this warning issued by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for which there was link in Apinews. As you will see, the source of the lead has not yet been established but if it is from nectar sources in areas associated with lead mining this could have considerable implications for beekeepers in Wales. It had been my previous understanding that plants did not pick up much lead through their roots (this comes from when there was tetra-ethyl lead in petrol and its effect on roadside verges where it was found to be mostly on the outside of the plant). However, a quick Google reveals that lead is taken up by plants but I can find absolutely no information as whether it can find its way into nectar.
Without being alarmist, I think this warning should go out to all beekeeping associations because I am sure Food Standards will pick-up on this and we may find that there will be a programme of honey testing. There is nothing that can be done about the lead mining source (if proven) - except that beekeepers may have to move their bees away from problem areas. However, if they are still using antiquated extractors or ripening tanks - which have been illegal for years - they had better get their act together PDQ."
"I have just picked up this warning issued by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine for which there was link in Apinews. As you will see, the source of the lead has not yet been established but if it is from nectar sources in areas associated with lead mining this could have considerable implications for beekeepers in Wales. It had been my previous understanding that plants did not pick up much lead through their roots (this comes from when there was tetra-ethyl lead in petrol and its effect on roadside verges where it was found to be mostly on the outside of the plant). However, a quick Google reveals that lead is taken up by plants but I can find absolutely no information as whether it can find its way into nectar.
Without being alarmist, I think this warning should go out to all beekeeping associations because I am sure Food Standards will pick-up on this and we may find that there will be a programme of honey testing. There is nothing that can be done about the lead mining source (if proven) - except that beekeepers may have to move their bees away from problem areas. However, if they are still using antiquated extractors or ripening tanks - which have been illegal for years - they had better get their act together PDQ."