>Dear N Z BEE-L folks > Boy what a distraction all of your crying caused and all I did was ask questions about the ability to eradicate AFB .Now back to the issues. Nick in your reply April 8th. you >referred that you would be happy to supply some facts. I would like some more details and numbers as you have volunteered. As you stated samples must be significant to be >meaningful. Please provide the numbers of your numerical exercises. > How many test and what types of test were done last year for V & T mites.Please explain percentages to the total number of hives, also explain who gathers these samples and >how they are paid. In 1991 your government stopped the funding for your honeybee disease programme. Please explain hoe you fund your surveillance programs and how is MAF >paid.Also maybe you could share what is required of your shippers to certify against mites for shipments to Canada. > Regarding D Anderson and CSIRO could you please research and advise where CSIRO gets funded and how Anderson is paid. I am not questioning his integrity and just >want to clearly understand who he works for and how he gets paid. > Roger Rice suggested that the bee regulations are mandatory laws. Please confirm if these are laws or if voluntary compliance is sought. Do the requirements apply to anyone >who keeps bees hobbyist and all ? In your1995 industry profile you say your target is 10 % what was the actual percentage of hives tested ? > Under disease surveillance your publication says over 500 apiaries out of 25,124 apiariesare inspected . Please explain the inspection. Are mites tested for ?and then your >publication states that additionally 500 more samples are provided by live bee exporters . Are these samples gathered by the beekeeper or a state employee.And are mites looked >for. > Please provide a complete and comprehensive list of honeybee pests and diseases found on N Z bees. > In your most recent post you said that N Z is free of EFB , please give the details on the testing methodology used to develop this claim. How many test , type of test, recent >and on going test etc. Is it the goal of the N Z pest management strategy to eradicate AFB in N Z bees ? Can you give details as to any honeybee disease or pest ever being >eradicated after being introduced any where on earth. > I feel that your borders are effectively closed to honey imports with the red tape required to bring in a bottle of honey. I really hate to disappoint N Z tourist in Hawaii when I >have to tell them they can not take a one pound jar of Hawaiian honey back home to N Z . Do you feel that N Z bees with the viruses present any danger to the Americas >honeybee with mites ? > Hawaii is in the process of developing a strategy for testing our bees. Could you offer any suggestions as to what type of testing protocol we should follow so that our findings >will have meaning. What test should be done , what percentages of hives should be tested? Who can do what test and what are the cost of testing? > Will you allow Hawaii queen bees into N Z if Hawaii bees test out to be acceptable ? >What would be acceptable ? > I just got your most recent posting . I have a copy of the strategy and my biggest concern is that you are trying to make bee inspectors out of Hobbyist bee keepers and then >expecting them to objectively inspect each other.It is impressive as it will continue to keep N Z beekeepers protected from foreign honey imports. > Well I have to sign off for now 1:30 am Looking forward to your reply > Walter Walter & Elisabeth Patton, 27-703 A Ka' ie'ie Rd., Papaikou HI.,96781 Ph./Fax. 808-964-5401 E-Mail hihoney@ilhawaii Beekeeper and Bed & Breakfast Owner in Hawaii http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/hihoney.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/beeware.htm http://www.alohamall.com/hamakua/lamalani.htm