Surveillance, Diagnosis and Biosecurity Action group meeting - 13 May 2010
Attendees
Fiona Highet
Steve Sunderland
Gavin Ramsay
John Mellis
Margaret Thomas
SASA
SG Bee Inspector
SBA Representative
Bee Farmers’ Representative
Bee Farmers’ Representative
The first meeting of the action group. The team discussed the proposed outcomes of the strategy
and how best to approach them. Several action points were highlighted, along with areas for
further investigation and priorities.
i) Continue to monitor high risk areas and provide early warning of evidence of new exotic
pests and diseases
The group discussed the follow up strategy for the 2009 Foulbrood outbreak and agreed that it
had the support of the stakeholders. They agreed that maintaining long-term public awareness
was important to prevent a similar outbreak in the future (issue for communications group).
Sentinel apiaries near ports such as Grangemouth were discussed. These could provide early
warnings of outbreaks of new exotic pests such as SHB. They are already in place in England, so
could discuss practicality with English inspectors/NBU in the first instance. If this appears viable
and of use, could highlight 'at risk areas' and ask for participation of experienced beekeepers in
those regions (SBA).
Action points
Follow up to 2009 outbreak to be continued and reviewed by inspectorate

Investigate the practicality of sentinel hives in Scotland - Steve and Fiona
ii) Establish a database of Scottish beekeepers
Beebase is ready for Scottish involvement. The group discussed ways of encouraging
beekeepers to sign up. The first 'wave' of beekeepers should be happy to sign up - backed by
SBA and 'community spirit'. There will be a board at the Royal Highland Show and Honey Show
in Dundee in September to publicise. Further incentives may be needed, such as Co-op
vouchers, incentives for local associations and possible sponsorship. May be an issue for
communications team.
Action points
SBA to encourage sign up by members

Further opportunities to publicise Beebase will be highlighted by group members.
iii) Raise awareness about exotic pests, undesireable alien species and import risks with
relevant agencies, beekeepers and with honey importers and packers
SHB is discussed annually with the chief horticultural inspector and posters are in the fruit market
inspectors' offices. Awareness of marketing inspectors must continue.
Beekeeper awareness is an issue for communications team, but this team should maintain
awareness of upcoming issues and develop knowledge accordingly.
The group agreed that the guidelines and regulations for importing bees from other Member
States and Third Countries are not well understood and many bees are imported into Scotland
without regulations being followed, mainly due to lack of knowledge. Steve to publish clear
guidelines on Scottish government website; publicising this via Scottish Beekeeper and
magazines (where nuc's are advertised) could be passed onto communications team once
guidelines were available.
Possibly up to 70% of worldwide honey is contaminated with Foulbrood (quote from group
member), and a significant amount is now imported to the UK prior to packing. Therefore
communication the importance of biosecurity to honey importers and honey packers is essential
to maintain the health of Scottish honey bees. Steve to make a list of establishments we are
aware of, others to check list and add any other they are aware of. Possibility of 'workshop' in
future, or at least establishing communication and providing posters or guidelines (comms team
involvement!)
Action points
Fiona to maintain awareness of SHB with marketing inspectors

Group to maintain awareness of new import risks and exotic pests through media and
training and inform others in group of any issues that may be of concern

Steve to publish clear guidelines for the importation of bees on Scottish Government
website

Group to ask comms team to publicise guidelines on importing bees at next meeting

Steve to draw up list of honey importers and packers, group to look at and add to list

Group to draw up strategy for communicating bio-security issues to importers and
packers in next meeting
iv) Strengthen enforcement of existing regulations, develop and publish clear guidance on
best practice for disease control, including the importation of honey bees
The group agreed that Scottish inspectors showed a good deal of professionalism and had
maintained a good working relationship with the beekeepers.
It was agreed that ensuring that clear guidance was available was a good first step and would
prevent a majority of incidents caused by a lack of knowledge.
Action points

Steve to ensure clear guidance for importation and disease control are available
v) Strengthen and raise awareness of existing voluntary arrangements on domestic sale of
honey bees.
The group agreed that sourcing healthy local bees was the ideal, however, the Scottish climate
made this unprofitable. Various funding options may be available for local associations to develop
nuc and queen rearing (such as Awards for All and lottery grants). This may be something that
the group can develop a strategy for and assist local associations to apply for funding. Gavin
suggested that John Durkacz and BIBBA may get involved. Possibility for team to help develop a
strategy and provide backing to this project - Gavin to discuss with BIBBA?
Action points

SBA rep (Gavin) to investigate BIBBA involvement in this area and whether this group
should get involved
vi) Raise awareness of the impact and interaction of honey bees and bumble bees
The group were not aware of any honey bee health issues concerning bumble bees in Scotland
at the moment. They were aware of bumblebees being imported from mainland Europe for
pollination, but no risk to native species or the environment had been identified during risk
analyses.
No action points
vii) Review and improve current arrangements and practices in relation to other hazards
such as SHB
Guidance is available on Scottish Government web pages, recently reviewed by Steve. This may
require further review in light of any new information (i.e. European outbreak of exotic pest or new
import risk), frequency of review under normal conditions to be established.
Action points
Steve to decide how often guidelines shall be reviewed
viii) Ensure suitable diagnostic systems are available to beekeepers, associations and
Government and that arrangements are in place for sample submission and reporting of
results
Foulbrood sample receipt, diagnosis and reporting system established and integration onto
Beebase now being established. SASA lab testing is quality assured to ISO9001 standard.
Diagnosis of 'quarantine' pests and diseases other than foulbrood not tested out, but protocol in
place and SASA has the backup of NBU when required.
At the moment, diagnostic test requirements for SASA are for 'quarantine' pests and diseases
and Varroa mites. SASA continues to develop a suite of diagnostic tests for bee diseases to
ensure that they are able to carry out diagnoses as required by the Scottish Government.
The team discussed possible requirements from SASA and/or research work which would provide
valuable insights into the health of Scottish bees.
These included Surveying for bee viruses in hives with and without Varroa (project now funded by IPI)
Looking at Varroa control in Scotland and identifying best practice for our conditions
Action points
Group to review testing requirements at further meetings to ensure that SASA is
providing diagnostic systems geared to meeting the requirements of the health strategy
ix) Develop strategies for controlling foulbrood diseases to reduce incidences to the
lowest achievable level.
Obvious strategies included developing a risk based strategy for inspection – targeting imported
stocks and bees moved or sold from previously infected areas.
The possibility of randomly testing for the causative agent of EFB (Melissococcus plutonius) and
following up of positive 'at risk' hives was also discussed, although issues surrounding this
strategy appeared to be complex.
A novel strategy was introduced by John involving a compensation scheme for foulbrood. Instead
of a costly survey looking randomly for positive hives, beekeepers would have an incentive for
finding and notifying of disease. This may prove cheaper and more effective than low level
monitoring provided the level of Foulbrood in Scotland remained very low.
Action points
Group to raise ideas at further stakeholder meetings
Overview and other issues The group agreed to make a start on the action points highlighted and noted that they would need
to work closely with the communications group to ensure that the outcomes were met. Concerns
were made about how to fund further action required, but the group agreed that a case could be
made for funding (either through the Scottish Government or through various charitable bodies)
once a viable proposal had been drawn up.
When questioned, all team members were happy with how Foulbrood control measures were
going and agreed that the biggest issue concerning the health of the Scottish honey bee
remained the Varroa mite. Further information was required as to how the new cascade system
was working in Scotland and the cost, accessibility and success of varroa treatment remained a
problem. A SQP course is required for Scotland to allow Scottish beekeepers access to a person
that can prescribe effective Varroa control. The group agreed that an effective strategy for
controlling the mite in Scotland would greatly improve the health of Scottish honeybees. This may
involve research to investigate what treatments work best in Scottish conditions.
Action points
Fiona and Alison to discuss the cascade system and arrange for training of Scottish
SQP's with colleagues at NBU and policy department.

Group to ask communications team and Graeme Sharp to develop an easy to understand
Varroa management leaflet aimed at Scottish beekeepers.
Fiona Highet
1 Dec 2010