Yes, Varroa has been confirmed in Sligo, on the West coast of Ireland.  We knew
it would arrive some day but were quite surprised to find that it should appear
in the West before the East.  Unless there are other undetected cases I'm at a
loss as to how emidemiology can exlpain this one, airborne transmission from
the UK mainland?  Wind direction, the Irish sea and distance do not lend
weight to support this idea, is there an unknown vector?  I can only suspect
that it has been introduced by the aid of Homo sapiens .  We now have to find
out how far it has spread..
 
It is indeed a sad time for Irish beekeeping..
 
 
Philip Earle  Ph.D.
(Treasurer - Belfast and District Beekeeping Association)
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> Hi All
>
> The existence of the varroa mite has been confirmed in Ireland in recent days.
>
> We did not honestly believe that we would escape for ever - now we must deal
> with it.
>
> One outbreak so far - but I understand that the experience in other
> countries suggests that when it is found, it is already well entrenched.
>
> I wonder if the Irish authorities can learn from the experience gained in
> other countries that now have the mite?.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Tom Barrett
> 49 South Park
> Foxrock
> Dublin 18
> Ireland
>
> e mail [log in to unmask]
> Tel + 353 1 289 5269
> Fax + 353 1 289 9940