>>Unfortunately, the long review process, and associated secrecy now puts us close to fall, and close to the potential market for Aussie imports for almond pollination.

Does anyone know - especially the subscribers in Australia - if there are or have been CCD-like cases in Australia related to IAPV.  Has anyone also identified IAPV presence in Australia?  This is understandting that the key difference bet. Australia and N. America is the varroa vector.

Another question that comes to mind: do any of the beekeepers who have confirmed CCD run mostly Australian bees?  This could help answer if Assie bees exposed to varroa are resistant to IAPV (and other viruses).

This is all assuming that IAPV MAY be ONE of the factors contributing to CCD.  Rather than cutting funds for CCD research on this preliminary finding, Congress should be asking the CCD team to include the possible Aussie - IAPV cause in their eval.

Waldemar  

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