American Foulbrood (AFB) is quietly shaping up -- once again -- to
be a major beekeeping challenge.  That is unless new antibiotics are
approved in advance of the almost certain spread of mutant strains
of this old scourge, or unless the spread is controlled by use of
honey inspection and/or embargos combined with a thorough clean-up at
the site of current outbreaks.
 
Although there is much embargoing of worldwide trade in *bees* for
fear of diseases and pests, for some reason I hear little talk of
restricting or testing *honey* or *beeswax* being exported from the
areas in South America that currently harbour Terramycin (TM)
resistant AFB. While many of us discuss the potential for TM
resistant AFB *developing* in Europe, the US, Canada, and other
countries where TM is used, it is beginning to appear more likely
that this type of AFB will be *imported* long before that naturally
ocurs.   Argentina is a major exporter of white honey, and their
honey reaches Canada and the US -- and other major beekeeping
destinations -- as well as non honey producing countries.  Uneaten
honey -- like any other food -- is often discarded for various
reasons into open garbage collection sites throughout cities and the
country where bees may happen upon it and carry it home.
 
The first you or I, as beekeepers, will learn about the arrival of
this new challenge is that suddenly a yard will break down with AFB
-- in spite of normal control measures.  It will appear to be normal
AFB and not taken too seriously by those of us who see isolated
cases of AFB occasionally in yards where where management has slipped
up.  Since we are accustomed to being able to treat and see it
quickly disappear, by the time we realise that it cannot be
controlled with TM it will have been  spread throughout the entire outfit,
and perhaps the entire beekeeping neighbourhood. Many crops and much
equipment will be lost before it is brought under control.
 
This mutant AFB seems -- so far at least -- to be regarded by
beekeeping scientists and the beekeeping community more as a
curiosity than the serious and imminent threat it really is.  I can
see good reasons to put worldwide pressure on to limit the spread of
this potential scourge while it is still relatively contained.  The
costs to worldwide beekeeping of doing nothing will be immense.
 
Perhaps purchase and destruction of equipment in the affected area
is a solution?  Ultra filtering of any honey showing bacterial
spores? Eradication of AFB by use of sulfa or other effective drugs
in conjunction with very strong monitoring by government or
non-governmental agencies?  Whatever solution is chosen, a serious
attempt must be made to aid, not punish the beekeepers who are
presently combatting this new disease both in order to enlist their
co-operation and to strengthen their efforts, and for reasons of equity.
 
At any rate, strong resistance to import of any honey from the
affected regions that can be *proven* to be contaminated and
pressure from the world beekeeping community may be required to limit
this outbreak. Additionally, assistance in the form of inspection,
scientific study and information, as well as funds may be
required to determine if the variant AFB can be eradicated
permanently in its place of origin before it spreads.
 
IMO anyhow.
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
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Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>