Hi Angus
 
> In the UK we have similar problems. Here the problem arises from
> hybridisation of imported bees with native Apis mellifera
> mellifera ( Dark European bee).  Both the native and imported sub
> species may be gentle but the mongrels which result from random
> matings cause endless trouble.  Nobody learns from the lessons.
> Bees and queens  continue to be imported together with their obscure
> virus infections which are destroying our native stocks
 
Do we still have native strains in the UK?  Most of the literature
that I have read suggests that they were wiped out by Acarine
(Tracheal) mites in the early part of this century.
 
> The whole of the UK will continue to suffer from these reckless
> acts of importation and hybridisation.
 
Joe Hemmens