In message <sd80b2ad.039@mda-grp>, Blane White <[log in to unmask]> writes >Are all field >AFB finds confirmed in the lab before hive destruction? Yes - it was a UK outbreak that was mentioned. All samples are tested in the Central Science Laboratory and confirmation goes to the Bee Officer involved and the beekeeper. Only AFB and EFB are ever reported whatever else is detected. Destruction follows a.s.a.p. after confirmation of AFB. There is some discretion when EFB is found, depending on colony strength, % comb affected and time of year. >When colonies are destroyed for >disease control only a few states have any kind of reembursement in >place. In the UK we have a voluntary insurance scheme. I gather that costs exceed income at the moment and the scheme may fold. AFB is very rare in my part of the UK, though there has been a couple of recent detected occurrences. EFB is much more common by virtue of our intermittent flows. -- James Kilty