5 May 2000

Testing continues to determine extent of varroa infection

13 new varroa Infected Places have been detected within the Infected Zone. MAF programme co-ordinator says they the new finds confirm the trend noted yesterday of indicating low infection rates apparently caused by natural spread of the varroa mite.

"The new sites have low level infections, in some cases as low as 10 mites per hive. It seems that these infections are the result of natural spread of the varroa mite by mechanisms such as bees robbing honey from infected hives, bees leaving a hive or naturally drifting bees. We are analysing the stage of infection in hives at various sites and the likely spread mechanisms to assist our evaluation of control options," said Dr Stone.

The new Infected Places bring the cumulative total to 131, on apiaries owned by 44 beekeepers. 26,889 hives have now been tested on 1,453 apiaries.

Field sampling work has been completed for the Exotic Bee Disease Survey, designed to prove that other exotic diseases such as tracheal mites or European foulbrood were not introduced along with varroa mite.  233 hives on 22 apiaries were sampled, with sticky boards, honey samples, bee samples, hive debris samples and larval samples. Laboratory results from those samples are expected early next week.

The movement permit free-phone operation (0800 109 383) received 15 new requests for permits yesterday. 18 permits were issued yesterday, reducing the pending total to 24. One application for a cross-border movement has been declined. The application for movement permits is now on the MAF and NBA websites.