Dear Rick and Alan,
        No need to be respectfull I am known for having an occasional
controversial thought!  However I *do* think it is better to work out
your problems yourself - other people can make mistakes! Why was there
this "Big Kill" - was there a shortage of chemical prevention or were
they just taken by surprise?  Getting back to importing bees and Nick
Wallingford's letter.  I agree with what Nick says but how do you know
if they are resistant if they have not been exposed to the disease?  I
suspect that bees do not have any immune system and therefore any
immunity or resistance must be genetic. I would conclude therefore that
any restriction on breeding would not be the way forward.
        If there are any French people reading this - Congratulations!
You have a great rugby team.  I will just get back to drowing my
sorrows!!
 
Harry