As interesting the comments and interventions are that make up the bulk of the material that is sent
out on Bee -L, would it not be useful if the following was possible:

A generalised summary of how things stand in the apicultural world!
Many individuals are unable to make it to specialised conventions, meetings and may only get
parochial view points on how things stand.

Magazines inform, true, but again tend to give narrow view points - no complaints intended.

For instance:
Where are we regarding the struggle with V.d?
Much research has taken and is taking place, but compared to the end goal - what is the consensus of
where we are and what HAS been achieved?

Mention Tracheal mites - what is the true position regarding what is available to cope with this
infestation, and how does this stand relative to a desired position?
SMR, Resistant AFB, what ever! - if it is a problem in the beekeeping world - how are we coping.

It would be great if the informed individuals were able to say where they were on the scale between
say 1) Start of problem ...  to  ... 10) Problem cracked (for the moment).

Am I not correct in thinking that what is going to be needed by many is a super bee?
One that is going to be able to stand up to V.d/Acarine/res.AFB/ etc. etc. and in the near future.

This is the case in MHO as we insist on moving "stocks" from everywhere to everywhere, therefore
creating a bee environment that is prone to an amalgam of ills.

I admit that even being reasonably "au fait" with what is going on - I find it difficult to
determine an overall picture of how we stand.

So, to put it bluntly: Who is winning the race?

- the "beasties" or the researchers trying to develop what we require.

A simple question really!!

Peter