I believe BEE-L should strive to encourage the presentation of
correct, factual information wherever possible.  Some recent
statements regarding NZ conditions require correction.
 
Mr. Patton states "New Zealand has their border closed to honey and
other bee hive products under the pretense of attempting to
eradicate AFB and EFB".  New Zealand restricts (but does not
prohibit) the import of honey and other bee products from those
countries where EFB is endemic.  New Zealand is free of EFB and its
caustive organism, Melissococcus pluton. Anyone in New Zealand can
apply for an import permit for such products.  Once an application
has been lodged, an analysis is done on the risk that particular
product poses to the introduction of EFB.  A number of low risk
formulations of bee products are routinely allowed entry into New
Zealand.  As well, honey from some Pacific countries where EFB is
known not to be present is allowed entry into New Zealand.
 
The presence of Bacillus larvae, the causative organism of AFB, is
not the basis for any such import restriction into New Zealand. Mr.
Patton also states that "NZ bee people claim to have a AFB
eradication program in place". Currently, the National Beekeepers'
Association in New Zealand contracts MAF Quality Management to carry
out an AFB control programme in this country.  The programme is not
an eradication programme, but the reported incidence of AFB in New
Zealand has reduced from 1.2%  to 0.8% of hives per annum since the
programme began in 1991.  The NBA is proposing a pest management
strategy for AFB under the NZ government's Biosecurity Act.  The
strategy has as its goal the elimination of clinical infections of
AFB in NZ beehives by the year 2006.  The strategy is currently
being considered by the NZ Minister of Agriculture, but has so far
not been put into place.
Nick Wallingford
President - Nat Beekeepers Assn of NZ      (\
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