The BeeHolder, January 2010

An Article from journal of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons discusses the growing threat to honey-bees, and our need for more weapons in our armoury against Varroa. In particular the article mentions the agreement between the VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) and “beekeeper representatives” that treatments which are available on the continent of Europe should be made available here. Apparently the VMD plans to develop a “Suitably Qualified Person” (SQP) qualification for beekeepers to enable them to prescribe appropriate medicinal products. (The frightening bit is when the article discusses the role of the Vet in all this.) Guidance to vets “confirms that veterinary surgeons may apply for Special Import Certificates or Special Treatment Certificates on behalf of beekeepers, and prescribe medicines for the bees. It also addresses the issue of when bees can be considered “under the care” of the veterinary surgeon, in order for them to prescribe the medication. In the current circumstances, and in light of the urgent need for treatments, the Committee has stated that it may not be necessary for the veterinary surgeon to visit the beehives before prescribing, as would normally be the case. The Veterinary surgeon must still, however, take professional responsibility for the prescriptions , maintain appropriate clinical records, and comply with the responsibilities for the supply of medicines.” The idea of taking your bees to the vet sounds like a good joke, until you realise that these people are serious! I have nothing but respect for vets, but most of them know nothing about bees. The prospect of my having to educate a vet about bees in order to get a prescription from him/her, and then paying vet’s fees for the privilege is a nightmare. I can hardly think of anything that would set back our fight for bee-health more effectively. We can only hope that the BBKA will be able to get someone to see sense before this sort of thing becomes law.

Pete Sutcliffe

Thanks to Cheshire BKA and EBees