Around the Colony : 5


Vita Bee Initiative Awards


Does your beekeeping group


promote honey bee health to its members? Does it have a programme of education in health and disease for new and established members? Does it have an online forum focusing on bee health issues? If so, it is eligible to enter for the new ‘Vita Bee Initiative Awards’. This is an initiative by


Vita (Europe) Ltd aimed at highlighting the vital work of voluntary beekeeping groups worldwide to combat the ongoing health threats to honey bees and to make beekeepers aware of good practice in this area.


The Vita Bee Initiative Awards


are open to any beekeeping group, large or small, in any part of the world. An international panel of beekeeping experts will adjudicate.


Examples of eligible projects or initiatives include: • co-operation of


neighbouring beekeepers to tackle a local or widespread honey bee health threat


• schemes such as mentoring to help new beekeepers with a particular focus on honey bee health


• providing access to specialist equipment to identify diseases


• specialist courses, meetings or regular events to target particular health threats


• online activities (websites, social media and/or e-mail groups) addressing health issues for a particular beekeeping group


• disease identifi cation skills transfer to young, new or inexperienced beekeepers. All sorts of initiatives will be eligible, but honey bee health should always be a signifi cant, if not the only focus of the entry. An indication of successful outcomes will be benefi cial.


April 2015 Vol 97 No 4


Can Mushrooms Save the Honey Bee?


Mycologist Paul Stamets noticed that honey bees were feeding on the mycelium of mushrooms growing in the wood chips in his garden. Research revealed that certain species of polypore mushroom contained substances effective against pox and fl u viruses and other human pathogens. In 2014, Steve Sheppard, Professor of Entomology at Washington State University, started working with Stamets to investigate whether compounds in polypores help honey bees to break down pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and other toxins. Initial screening of extracts from different mushrooms which grow on different trees has identifi ed some which reduce virus load without affecting bees. There is evidence that the fungus, Metarhizium anisopliae, can kill


varroa mites without harming bees and Sheppard and Stamets are designing experiments to expose the mites to the spores. Field trials are planned with a large commercial beekeeper in the state. http://crosscut.com/2015/02/can-mushrooms-save-honeybee/


Further information can be found on the Vita (Europe) Ltd website, www.vita-europe.com Entries close on 10 July and the winner will be announced in September at Apimondia in Daejeon, South Korea.


AROUND THE Colony News from around the beekeeping world Bee Tradex Success


This year, the bee trade exhibition moved to Hall 1 on the Stoneleigh Park showground. This is a purpose-built exhibition hall with easy access for both traders and those coming to buy. Over 1600 beekeepers thronged the hall, picking up bargains from the 40 suppliers exhibiting their wares.


At the start of the season, it was good to see the optimisim shown by those who came from far and wide to pick up bargains. Let us hope that the season lives up to expectations!


Defra Joint Venture A joint venture has been


created by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) with Capita and Newcastle University. This will help to run the Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera). New investment amounting to £14.5 million will be made in the venture which is part of Defra’s ambitious science programme to support cutting- edge research.


A joint academic institute will be established with Newcastle University for the advancement of the understanding and application of science to practical agri-food problems. Fera will benefi t from access to the University’s experimental farms for agriculture, horticulture and crop protection, as well as their research expertise in food quality, agri- tech and food safety.


Defra will maintain a strategic


share of 25% in Fera, allowing it to continue to benefi t from the agency’s scientifi c excellence, which plays a vital role in ensuring national plant health. Capita is due to take over the operation of Fera from 1 April. The National Bee Unit laboratory and research unit will become part of the joint venture and will undertake disease diagnosis, but the Inspectorate is not affected following its transfer to the Animal Health and Plant Agency (APHA). Services to beekeepers will not be affected.


www.bee-craft.com


S y


l v


i a


D


u c


k


w


o


r t


h


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48