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December 2007 - Latest Job Vacancies at CSL
If you are interested in working for the National Bee Unit or for Central Science Laboratory, pleaseclick here to view the latest vacancies.
November 2007 - Nosema ceranae confirmation in England and Wales
October 2007 - Horizon Scanning Project
Horizon Scanning Project Investigation into abnormal colony losses in England and Wales
Honeybees are a vital component of the pollination process of both agricultural and horticultural crops as well as wild flowers and their contribution (Ecosystem services) to maintaining the environment and biodiversity is almost incalculable. Beekeepers across North America and Europe have reported increased, and often sudden losses of honeybee colonies in recent years. The term colony collapse disorder (CCD) has been assigned by US scientists to describe this phenomenon, (Mid Atlantic Apiculture research and Extension Consortium (MAAREC). There are a number of clear signs that are reported to distinguish this disorder from those associated with heavy Varroa infestation. They include the almost complete absence of adult bees with apparently healthy capped brood and stores present in the colony, which are robbed out or consumed by secondary invaders as per the norm. Across Europe Varroa has had the major impact on colony loss but other pathogens, pesticides, bee nutrition, colony management by the beekeeper have also been suggested. In the UK the levels of colony loss have increased since 2001 with the first confirmed cases of Varroa resistance to the highly efficient pyrethroid based medicines used against the mites. As a consequence despite using alternative substances and methods beekeepers are encountering difficulties controlling Varroa and it is still the number one management problem affecting most UK beekeepers.
Under the Department for Environment Rural Affairs (Defra) Horizon Scanning programme (funding designed as the name suggests to investigate phenomena or threats with the potential to arrive in the UK) the CSL National Bee Unit is investigating the causes of the increased colony mortality in England and Wales. So far the NBU has collected over 400 samples from apiaries in England and Wales where significant colony losses have occurred. Samples if available of: adult bees, brood, debris comb wax and debris samples have been collected. These are being screened for a comprehensive range of known pests and pathogens using both molecular methods in the CSL Molecular Technology Unit (MTU) and traditional laboratory diagnostic methods. Samples have also been collected from apparently healthy colonies, which will provide important comparisons. Inspectors have noted colony condition at the time of sampling and have attempted to record details about pest and disease management approaches including Varroa treatments used by the beekeeper. The hive samples will also be screened for a wide range of pesticides and veterinary medicines (N >250) using mass spectrometry. Please get in touch with NBU at York or your NBU Regional Bee Inspector if you are experiencing serious loss of bees in your apiaries. We will provide sampling tubes and instructions. Samples should be sent to the NBU laboratory at York.
This work is not a diagnostic service but a research project and dealing the high level of samples will inevitably take some time. However, as the results from this project come on stream we will endeavour to post summaries on BeeBase so please check the website for details.
CSL National Bee Unit
September 2007
The attached document should be read in conjunction with the above information.
Horizon Scanning Project: Beekeepers Letter
September 2007 - Postal Prices
Due to the changes in Royal Mail postal prices, please use the following link to ensure you have the correct postage for the size and weight of your sample or correspondence before sending to the National Bee Unit.
September 2007 - Colony Collapse Disorder
Defra, the Welsh Assembly and the CSL are well aware of the serious colony loss affecting many beekeepers in the USA. Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD, previously known as Fall Dwindle Disease and by other names) is of increasing concern in the USA, where reports of the disorder have been made from at least 24 states.
It appears to be affecting commercial migratory beekeepers in particular. Signs of CCD appear to be the total collapse of bee colonies, with a complete absence of bees or only a few remaining in the hive. These are not unlike the signs of colony demise associated with heavy varroa infestation sometimes seen in the UK. Bee scientists in the USA are working to find the cause, but while factors such as poor nutrition, disease levels, stress from long distance transport of colonies for pollination of crops, and antibiotic use all seem common features, no specific cause has yet been isolated. Other factors such as pesticide use and toxins found in some plant pollens are being considered, as well as the feeding of High Fructose Corn Syrup and beekeepers’ ability to detect and identify pest and disease problems.
Because of their vital pollination function, the loss of bees in the USA is raising serious concerns about the impact on agricultural and horticultural production, potentially leading once again to the requirement to import package bees from outside the USA, e.g. from Australia, for the pollination of California almonds.
For more details of the disorder and the results of the investigations as and when they are produced please see the direct link from BeeBase to the Mid-Atlantic Apiculture Research and Extension Consortium (MAAREC) website and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website.
MAAREC Website Link
United States Department of Agriculture- Agricultural Research Service Link
August 2007 - Foot and Mouth Outbreak
Due to the Foot and Mouth Outbreak confirmed in Surrey, National Bee Unit Inspectors will not be carrying out inspections on any farms or surrounding farmland until the situation has been resolved.
Statutory apiary inspections in towns and urban areas will continue as normal.
Any beekeepers requiring further information should contact the NBU office on 01904 462510 or their local bee inspector.
May 2007 - Assisting Africa-Dr. Robert Kajobe's CSL Visit
Please see the link below on the work of Dr. Robert Kajobe as he visited CSL for six weeks to look at and learn more about the state of the art molecular analysis techniques used routinely by the National Bee Unit.
May 2007 - PhD studentship available
Click here to view details of a PhD studentship available at Central Science Laboratory investigating the epidemiology of honeybee viruses.
April 2007 - Varroa in Hawaii
March 2007 - Colony Collapse Disorder
March 2007 - Asian Hornet Established in France
Please see the below link regarding recent hornet swarms in France that entomologists fear could reach Britain:
March 2007 - Final minutes of the annual bee meeting at CSL on 5 December 2006
Following the Annual Bee Meeting held at CSL on 5th December the minutes are now available to view.
Please click here for more details
March 2007 - Public consultation on The Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain
The GB Invasive Non-native Species Framework Strategy is intended to provide a strategic framework within which the actions of government departments, their related bodies and key stakeholders can be better co-ordinated. Its overall aim is to minimise the risks posed, and reduce the negative impacts caused, by invasive non-native species in Great Britain. This draft strategy has been produced by a working group consisting of key stakeholders from industry, Non Governmental Organisations and government. This public consultation is intended to canvass a broad spectrum of views on this large and complex subject.
To view more details please click here