Hello All

Thomas Mozer writes a most interesting e mail under the above subject.

I think that the following sentence is of prime importance here.

>The epidemiologist seemed to favor an attempt at eradication. When pressed
>for an estimate of the
>chances that this could be successful she gave a figure that, while high,
>was somewhat less than
>100%.

Let me put some of our experience in Ireland before the list members.

Whan varroa was first discovered in Ireland in 1998, strident efforts were
made by our Department of Agriculture to eliminate the pest and
unfortunately to no avail.

Whilst I do not in any way denigrate the efforts made by the Department, it
must be said in hindsight that their good natured work came to naught.

In fact, seasoned observers of varroa abroad forecasted that this would be
the case and they were proved to be correct.

It is impossible to eliminate varroa - you must treat for it.

I must say that the efforts by our Department of Agriculture had some
negative though unintended effects. They suggested to many, that varroa
could be stopped and thereby inculcated in many minds a belief that
beekeepers did not have to do anything about it, The Government measures
would solve the problem.

Please! let me say to our friends in New Zealand.

You now have varroa, in fact you have probably had it for up to three years,
and you will never again be without it. Gear yourself up to treat for it
lest you start losing colonies wholesale.

Do not listen to those who may preach a gospel which you may wish to believe
- it will be your undoing.

I am sending a copy of this e mail to the Irish Beekeeping Discussion List.

Sincerely

Tom Barrett
49 South Park
Foxrock
Dublin 18