In the October issue of L'Abeille de France, Jean-Paul Faucon, renowned french bee pathologist signs an article confirming the resistance of varroa to Apistan in several provinces of Italy. The situation seems quite severe. 50% losses were reported in Piemont last spring. Important losses also occurred in Ligurie. Doctor Max Watkins from Sandoz (in charge of the research department in London) was to bring some precisions at the Xth National Convention of the French Beekeeping to be held on Oct 15th. Does anybody knows what the recent developpments are? I read with interest the the last issue of Apis. The possible "revenge" of bugs and microorganisms we fight from our colonies is a big concern for me. I think the TM approach of the AFB problem that prevails in north America is a dangerous. I am convinced that it is possible to operate large commercial operation without TM. I operate a commercial apiary (550 hives and 1400 mating nucs) since 1977 and I have never used the drug. Yearly inspection of all the colonies, replacement of the combs every 4-6 years has been sufficient to keep a good control of the situation. I also had to destroy or shake colonies occasionnally, but very few. Less that one per year on average. TM is dangerous since it only hides problems or potential problems. Unfortunately, for most beekeepers who have been using TM for years, it is very difficult to stop using it. '''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' ' JEAN-PIERRE CHAPLEAU eleveur de reines/bee breeder ' ' Chapleau & Courtemanche enr. ' ' 1282, rang 8, St-Adrien, Quebec, Canada, J0A 1C0 ' ' [log in to unmask] tel./phone (819) 828-3396 ' ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''