> while I am no livestock expert I am certain that if hoof and mouth disease or avian flu struck
> our poultry or livestock industry there would not be the mass movement of animals like we
> see every fall and winter with almonds and honeybees.  in fact infected animals would be
> likely be killed. 

Guess that the UK attitude reflects that approach.  The first thing that happens with an EFB outbreak in my neck of the woods is a 5km cordon around an infection, where all hives are located and sampled and no movement allowed until everything is clear again.  A new find triggers a new zone.  Infected colonies are destroyed or treated by an appropriate means.  AFB infections are only destroyed.

Most serious infections are treated this way, and if CCD (or as we used to call it Marie Celeste) is clearly shown to be due to a single contagious agent, then I guess that may get the same treatment.

Gavin

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