<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)