On 16 April, Chris Slade wrote: "I expect it would be regarded as good
hygienic practice to have your top bars as clean as
possible by dribbling oxalic acid solution on them."
Chris' strategem for using oxalic acid is ingenious but would not stand up
in court once it was known he is an expert beekeeper.  It would be helpful
to know whether UK beekeepers using oxalic before DEFRA updates its guidance
in 'Managing Varroa' are covered by the public liability insurance provided
through BBKA if a customer or parent of a child in a school beekeeping class
complains, but it is usually difficult to get a ruling before an incident
has occurred.
I rang the National Bee Unit to ask if there is progress towards authorising
oxalic now that the scientific study identified by Bill Truesdell has been
published. An answer is unlikely before Easter.
Robin Dartington

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