Dear Rick and Alan, No need to be respectfull I am known for having an occasional controversial thought! However I *do* think it is better to work out your problems yourself - other people can make mistakes! Why was there this "Big Kill" - was there a shortage of chemical prevention or were they just taken by surprise? Getting back to importing bees and Nick Wallingford's letter. I agree with what Nick says but how do you know if they are resistant if they have not been exposed to the disease? I suspect that bees do not have any immune system and therefore any immunity or resistance must be genetic. I would conclude therefore that any restriction on breeding would not be the way forward. If there are any French people reading this - Congratulations! You have a great rugby team. I will just get back to drowing my sorrows!! Harry