A friend if mine bought this season 21 hives of bees plus sheds and other
equipment from a retiring beekeeper.  They appeared to be healthy and were
free from varroa.  He paid about three quarters of the agreed amount with the
rest to be paid at the end of the season when the crop was sold.
We had an Association apiary meeting with an expert from the Ministry of
Agriculture showing us how to examine colonies for foul brood.  On hive 16 she
found a suspicious cell, on hive 17, 2 or 3 more.  The frames with the
suspicious cells were removed for laboratory examination . A standstill order
was immediately (there and then) issued.  Another inspector made a thorough
examination a few days later and found a third hive with AFB (which had been
confirmed by the laboratory).  All three were burnt and buried.  My friend had
been intending to take his bees to the heather (calluna vulgaris) for a late
crop but was unable to do so.  He claimed from Bee Disease Insurance Ltd with
whom he was covered through Association membership for loss of the bees, comb
and frames.  As his hive numbers were then slightly more than he had insured
for his claim was reduced proportionately.  He  got in tough with the
gentleman who had sold him the hives and they agreed that they were all square
financially.
The moral is check for disease before, during and after the transaction; don't
pay all the money at once; if your beekeeping association doesn't offer
disease insurance find one that does.
Chris Slade