Ms Rodgers: I can confirm that the parasitic mite Varroa has been discovered in Honey-bee hives in eight locations in north County Down. Infestations are presently under chemical treatment to control the mite populations on site at each of the apiaries. Bee Inspectors will monitor this treatment to the end of the exposure period. This treatment does not guarantee 100% elimination of the mites but reduces numbers to below a manageable threshold over the summer months. Treatment is applied in autumn if monitoring dictates necessity. Standstill Notices are in operation until the Department is satisfied that the risk of spread is negligible.

Infestations can be effectively treated, but once the mite becomes widespread, there is little doubt that there will be re-occurrences. You are probably aware that, up to now, Northern Ireland has been the only area of the British Isles considered free from this mite, and its presence has obvious implications for bee keepers in leading to loss of honey production and fruit pollination. However, it is of no great surprise that infestation has now occurred here since it is widespread in Great Britain and infestations have been increasingly detected in the Irish Republic, gradually moving north, with two border counties affected in recent years. The extent of the infestations in Northern Ireland will only be known when the annual Spring Survey of hives, which is currently underway, is complete.

Freedom from the mite has enabled Northern Ireland to maintain Protected Zone (PZ) Status within the EU, enabling us to control imports of Queen Bees and bee semen, and contingency arrangements have been put in place to deal with this outbreak. Notices have been served on the hive owners with regard to the isolation, treatment, and if necessary, destruction of the affected hives, and restrictions have been imposed at all bee-keeping locations within a 5km radius of each of the sites. Furthermore, my officials had earlier arranged for wide distribution of a comprehensive booklet dealing with the detection, management and treatment of Varroa.

My officials are currently considering, in consultation with the industry, whether or not PZ status is sustainable. A decision on this issue will also influence whether the present outbreaks will require destruction of the hives or whether measures can be confined to simply treating the bees.

There is no restriction on beekeepers providing pollination services as long as they are not served with a Standstill Notice.

Varroa Guidance Booklets

"Managing Varroa" booklets have arrived and will be issued to Association Secretaries within the next couple of days. DARD has issued a press article regarding the booklets and guidance on identifying Varroa.   Click HERE for full details.

Flumethrin Resistant Mites

Although at present we do not appear to have a problem with resistant mites, all Beekeepers should familiarise themselves with the procedure for testing mites for resistance. See Central Science Laboratories  Page, Home Made Kit, Apistan Resistance Test Sheet. (This is an Adobe document and requires Acrobat Reader to view - any problems please let me know)  The Managing Varroa booklet may also be downloaded from this page.

Spring Survey

Hives have been tested in Fermanagh and parts of Tyrone for the presence of Varroa. All result have so far proved negative. The survey continues – all beekeepers should remain vigilant and are urged to co-operate fully with the Department’s Inspectors.

Lord Kilclooney:

Is the Minister aware that a dreadful disease is affecting bees in Northern Ireland and that 75% of them could be killed this year? That may also have an adverse affect on the apple industry in Northern Ireland. Since bees cross the border, will the Minister take the matter up urgently with her counterparts in the Republic?

Ms Rodgers:

I am aware that Varroa has affected bees in Northern Ireland. Department of Agriculture and Rural Development officials have contacted the relevant people. The Department will do everything it can because this is a serious disease.

Lord Kilclooney has since followed up on the issue by raising the following Assembly Question for written answer on 2 May:-

To ask the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to outline (a) if the Varroa Mite has been discovered amongst bees in Northern Ireland, (b) can this infection be controlled, (c) if this will have an impact on pollination in apple orchards; and to make a statement. (AQW 3266/01)

One site at Carrowdore Road, Greyabbey

One site at Crossnamuckley Road, between Greyabbey and Newtownards

One site at Church Road, Helens Bay

One site at Woodside Ave, Helens Bay One site near Sixroadends, Newtownards

One site at Bangor Road, Newtownards

One site at Ballycastle Road, Newtownards

One site at Old Belfast Road, Newtownards

See DARD link above for full details.

1. Varroa is here and could be widespread amongst feral colonies.

2. Containment by destruction of infected colonies has been unsuccessful in other countries e.g. England, Republic              of Ireland etc. - therefore U.B.K.A. cannot support this.

3. Varroa Free Status is of no economic importance to beekeeping in Ulster.

4. Beekeepers must be encouraged to learn to live with Varroa using suitable control methods.

5. Beekeepers require up to date information on the correct and acceptable methods of identification and timing of              control systems.

6. Department should appreciate that approximately 75% of all bee colonies will disappear. Estimated contribution              of £128 million to the UK economy (IACR Rothamstead) from pollination of crops etc. (circa £12m for NI)

7. Appointment of a Bee Officer to co-ordinate education programme.

8. Varroa Road Shows should be introduced similar to those in R.O.I.

9. Department should continue with surveillance duties to identify spread etc. Identification and detection methods              using chemicals should be used in accordance with manufacturers instructions.

10. Modification of the Standstill Order is required to permit the sale of honey.

11. Clarification sought on the safety of honey after treatment with Bayvarol and Apistan.

12. All assistance should be channelled through existing Associations.

13. Department should seek funding to provide Beekeepers initially with assistance in provision of Varroa screens              and chemical treatments.

The Outcome

• The Department is continuing its investigations into the outbreaks but agrees with us that Varroa is, in all likelihood, here to stay – eradication by destruction of hives is not an option.

• Movement restrictions within the control area remain in place.

• From today all bee inspectors are back in their normal areas of work. Their role will be one of identifying sites of infection. All treatment is now the responsibility of the beekeeper concerned.

• The restriction on sales of honey within the control area will be reassessed so that:-

• Honey extracted last year may be sold

• Honey extracted this year will be differentiated as follows:-

• That obtained from untreated / untested hives may be sold
• That obtained from hives where strips have been used for indentification purposes – may be sold
• That obtained from treated hives should not be sold.

Further guidance will be published as soon as it becomes available.

• All importation controls relating to Queenbees and Honeybee semen remain in place at this time.

• Education of beekeepers on the identification and control of Varroa is of paramount importance.

• Publicity – The Department will, in conjunction with us, will arrange for leaflets on treatment and control of Varroa to be distributed to all KNOWN beekeepers in Northern Ireland. DARD will also arrange a press article with summary details and contact points where unregistered Beekeepers may obtain a copy. Unregistered beekeepers should contact their nearest local Association as soon as possible to avoid delay in receiving a copy.

• We will maintain a close relationship with the Department and will meet with Officials on a regular basis.