> > The root question is whether one OTC resistant strain developed in one
> place and has been spread by international trade in honey and other means, or
> whether a  number of separate strains have evolved in separate and totally
isolated places with no vector of disease transmission between them.
>
> Here in Quebec l have seen many
> barrels purchased from the honey packer (Labonte) which come from the west
> as well as outside of the country which have residues of honey sufficient to
> encourage robbing.

A neighbour reported to us having seen Chinese honey drums in a nearby open dump
(near two of our locations).  He mentioned it because he thought they must have
come from us.

We had no knowledge whatsoever up to that point.

We are very vulnerable.  Even if honey drums are washed, what is to keep a
family cook from throwing out unwanted honey into garbage which ends up in open
landfills.

I maintain that our watchdogs have badly let us down by not screening imported
honey for bee pathogens, particularly SAFB.

allen