<Sorry, probably only of interest to UK readers> Archie Norman (MP for Tunbridge Wells) tabled a set of questions for a debate in parliament yesterday (22nd April) regarding the threat of Varroa & a lack of alternative treaments in the UK, in particular the recent change to the legal status of Apistan as a chemical treatement. ".. since 11 August 1997, the (UK) Government .... .... redefined bees as food-producing animals. The consequence of that seemingly innocuous measure was to outlaw for use in beekeeping some of the crucial pesticides that could help to tackle the problem--notably, a pesticide called Apistan. Apistan is the most widely used chemical for dealing with the varroa mite in southern Europe, Germany and the United States. We now depend almost wholly on a single pesticide, Bayvarol.... " For a rather lengthy read see the full text of yesterday's debate at the UK parliament web site: http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199798/cmhansrd/cm9 80422/debtext/80422-06.htm#80422-06_head0 Regards Graham Read (2 hives, Hampshire, UK)