The following is an e-mail sent by an administrator of "Edinburgh & Midlothian Beekeepers' Association".
** PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE. ENSURE THOSE WITHOUT INTERNET ARE ALSO INFORMED **
Details on the EFB outbreak have finally been officially released by the SBA Diseases Convener, and it appears the outbreak is much worse than first suspected.
It has been reported that the Tayside outbreak of EFB appears to be the biggest bee health issue to affect beekeeping in Scotland in recent years.
Some 85 colonies have been destroyed so far and as the bee inspectors are broadening their search the area with confirmed EFB the numbers of beekeepers and colonies affected seems likely to grow. Currently suspect cases cover a broad area of Strathmore, the Carse of Gowrie and in the Dundee area. The Scottish Government have indicated that they will release information on this outbreak on their own website in the next few days.
The outbreak appears to be well-established in Eastern Scotland, due largely to the difficulty in diagnosing this new form of EFB. The variant form of EFB is suspected to have been present in the apiaries of the beekeeper concerned for at least two years. The guidance from the CSL leaflet is not appropriate for this type of EFB. An SBA guidance document is now available for download from this and the SBA website.
http://www.edinburghbeekeepers.org.uk/downloads/EFB_Outbreak_15_July.pdf
EMBA Members please note the visit to Boarhills this weekend has been duly cancelled.
There are currently no directives or advice from SGRPID regarding any restrictions etc. on beekeepers. However, as the full extent of this outbreak of a variant form of EFB is not known, and that it has been in existence for some considerable time without report, it would be prudent of beekeepers to be vigilant in checking their colonies for this (and other) disease. They should also consider not moving colonies and equipment about until such time as a clearer picture is available and official instruction is given.
Always Practice Good Apiary Housekeeping:
Always maintain a high level of hygeine in all your beekeeping practices.
Carry out methodical health inspections on a regular basis, checking for brood disease particularly in spring and autumn.
Never transfer combs between colonies without checking for brood diseases.
Systematically replace old brood combs in your hives melting down the old comb to maintain clean and healthy brood.
Never bring colonies or equipment into your apiary without establishing their origin, condition, and disease status.
Sterilise any second hand equipment or hive components before introducing them into your apiary.
Discourage drifting and robbing in the apiary.
Suspect stray swarm health until you know otherwise.
Report any incidence of disease or suspicious conditions immediately to your Local Association.
More details as they arrive.
** PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE. ENSURE THOSE WITHOUT INTERNET ARE ALSO INFORMED **
** PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE. ENSURE THOSE WITHOUT INTERNET ARE ALSO INFORMED **
Details on the EFB outbreak have finally been officially released by the SBA Diseases Convener, and it appears the outbreak is much worse than first suspected.
It has been reported that the Tayside outbreak of EFB appears to be the biggest bee health issue to affect beekeeping in Scotland in recent years.
Some 85 colonies have been destroyed so far and as the bee inspectors are broadening their search the area with confirmed EFB the numbers of beekeepers and colonies affected seems likely to grow. Currently suspect cases cover a broad area of Strathmore, the Carse of Gowrie and in the Dundee area. The Scottish Government have indicated that they will release information on this outbreak on their own website in the next few days.
The outbreak appears to be well-established in Eastern Scotland, due largely to the difficulty in diagnosing this new form of EFB. The variant form of EFB is suspected to have been present in the apiaries of the beekeeper concerned for at least two years. The guidance from the CSL leaflet is not appropriate for this type of EFB. An SBA guidance document is now available for download from this and the SBA website.
http://www.edinburghbeekeepers.org.uk/downloads/EFB_Outbreak_15_July.pdf
EMBA Members please note the visit to Boarhills this weekend has been duly cancelled.
There are currently no directives or advice from SGRPID regarding any restrictions etc. on beekeepers. However, as the full extent of this outbreak of a variant form of EFB is not known, and that it has been in existence for some considerable time without report, it would be prudent of beekeepers to be vigilant in checking their colonies for this (and other) disease. They should also consider not moving colonies and equipment about until such time as a clearer picture is available and official instruction is given.
Always Practice Good Apiary Housekeeping:
Always maintain a high level of hygeine in all your beekeeping practices.
Carry out methodical health inspections on a regular basis, checking for brood disease particularly in spring and autumn.
Never transfer combs between colonies without checking for brood diseases.
Systematically replace old brood combs in your hives melting down the old comb to maintain clean and healthy brood.
Never bring colonies or equipment into your apiary without establishing their origin, condition, and disease status.
Sterilise any second hand equipment or hive components before introducing them into your apiary.
Discourage drifting and robbing in the apiary.
Suspect stray swarm health until you know otherwise.
Report any incidence of disease or suspicious conditions immediately to your Local Association.
More details as they arrive.
** PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE. ENSURE THOSE WITHOUT INTERNET ARE ALSO INFORMED **
