Firstly, I understand it was queens, not packages.
It was two suspect larvae in the queen cages, not adult beetles.
Subsequently confirmed as SHB larvae
It was detected at the border inspection process.

If all the above are true it does not fully explain how there had to be
some colony destruction unless it was entirely precautionary, or some of
the queens had been introduced or banked before the results of the
inspection of packaging etc. became known. Perhaps the recipient had had
an earlier consignment from the same source. We don't know enough yet.

Certificates are issued at origin by the veterinary authorities. Before
casting any doubts on the certificate you need to know exactly what it
said. It may be that SHB was not even mentioned or looked for. After
all, if it is an illegal shipment all bets are off about any health
matters.

Privately I have been told the probable source, and they are a
professional and reputable outfit, who are most unlikely to have offered
a bogus health certificate.

Murray


In message <[log in to unmask]>, [log in to unmask] writes
>My understanding is that the package bees that were illegally imported into
>Portugal complete with SHB came from the USA and were accompanied by an
>official certificate as to their health & well being.  Can anybody
>explain please how
>such certificates are issued and what checks are made to ensure that they are
>accurate?

--
Murray McGregor

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