Roger said: The big problem is the costs - around 30,000 Cyprus pounds
(50,000 Euro) for an outfit of my size - 500 hives.

The description given of the scope of HACCP seems quite straight forward -
and sensible.  The sort of things beekeepers ought to consider even without
prompting from the nanny state.  What makes the matter expensive?  Is it
only the large number of employees in a large buisness?   Is the cost high
worked out per jar of honey produced, for either large or small beekeepers?

Here in UK I had to produce a Health & Safety Plan for beekeeping at a
school. It seemed a chore - but when I realised that listing all the points
were accidents could happen -  together with the obvious precautions-  was
only sensible - and it could be good to have the references on the wall and
the medecines / phonenumbers in the cupboard - I was glad to have done it.
To wait for an accident to happen would be too late.  The cost was only time
plus laminating notices to display on walls.

So if HACCP helps to keep beekeepers aware of such matters as how to ensure
hygiene in the field and honey house, when and how to apply chemicals, and
how to store honey so it does not deteriorate, would that be bad?  I for one
must admit I am not instantly word perfect myself at the moment.

Robin Dartington

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