Hon. Newsletter Editor:
Peter Edwards
E-mail: beekeepers@stratford-upon-avon.freeserve.co.uk

INDIA AGAIN

My apologies for the delay in issuing this newsletter - we have been in India again, this time visiting the largest commercial beekeeper in Southern India at Marthandam in Tamil Nadu.  I really must try to write more on our beekeeping exploits abroad.

Now we are trying to get over the jet-lag, ‘flu (yes, we seem to have caught ‘flu right at the end of our holiday - probably brought out by European tourists!) and checking the apiaries.  Of course, the worst gales of the winter arrived just after we left on 12 January and were reported in graphic detail on BBC World, so we were left approximately 6000 miles from home with a whole month to worry!  Yesterday, despite feeling like death warmed up, we did the ‘Grand Tour’ and found three hives blown over and two with roofs off; four will probably survive, but one was fully exposed to the elements with only a couple of seams of bees left.  The rest of the colonies seem in good shape, still heavy and with a fair number of bees flying even at 8ºC.  All our apiaries seem to have plenty of rape around them and we noticed some flowers open in one sheltered location, although most of it is showing no sign of growth yet - thank goodness!
Peter Edwards

MEETING ON 23 FEBRUARY

If we can get everything together in time, we will do a presentation on the work of the Bee Improvement Group.  This will include a practical morphometry session using computer programs to analyse wings and identify races of bees; we will also look at a computerised stud book for recording queens and their colony characteristics.  We may use either our usual room (DG4) or the lecture theatre depending on the equipment available, but will make sure that everyone finds us!
Peter Edwards

ANNUAL DINNER

The Arrow Mill Hotel was our venue for the dinner and once again Margaret and Denis Woodhams and their staff gave us a warm welcome and an excellent meal.

After our meal a certificate from the BBKA was presented to Denis Keyte (see below) and this was followed by an amusing after-dinner talk by Denis Woodhams.

Thank you Margaret, Denis and your efficient staff for a very enjoyable evening.
Terry Hitchman

DENIS KEYTE

Our President has achieved a first for our Association by being awarded a certificate from the BBKA for 50 years devotion to Bees and Beekeeping.  The certificate was presented at the Annual Dinner by our Chairman, Terry Hitchman.  Denis first started keeping bees in 1956, joined our Association in 1958 and has been actively involved in the running of SBKA ever since.

Denis represented us at the second BBKA Delegate Meeting in 1962 and continued to be our delegate for forty years.  He was secretary of our Association for 30 years, has been President for the past 2 years and has served on the committee for 45 years.

Denis is a respected member of our Association and we are indebted to him for all of his efforts on our behalf.
Terry Hitchman

ASSOCIATION BOOKLET

About seven years ago, some members sent photographs for possible use in what was then the Association's millennium record.  Denis Keyte is now sorting out the considerable amount of material that was accumulated in the preparation of what became the 'Stratford Bee-keepers' Association in the 21st Century' booklet.  He would be happy to search for that favourite photo that you thought you had lost.  Please give him a call on 01564 792872.

This excellent booklet is still available for £2.50 at Association meetings and by post from Denis.  See last December's newsletter for details.
Peter Edwards

THE VETERINARY MEDICINES REGULATIONS 2006

I wonder how many of you are aware of these regulations which specifically include bees as food-producing animals.

If you treat your bees with a ‘Veterinary Medicine’ (e.g. Bayvarol, Apistan, Apiguard, Fumidil B etc.) then these regulations require you to keep detailed records.  I have set out the main points below, but this should not be taken as a complete statement of the Regulations which may be found here: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/SI/si2006/20062407.htm#2.  You should also note that the Regulations are updated every year.  (I particularly liked (2) (e) and wondered if we might have to tag individual bees soon!)

(1) In these Regulations "veterinary medicinal product" means—

(a) any substance or combination of substances presented as having properties for treating or preventing disease in animals; or
(b) any substance or combination of substances that may be used in, or administered to, animals with a view either to restoring, correcting or modifying physiological functions by exerting a pharmacological, immunological or metabolic action, or to making a medical diagnosis.

"Animal" means all animals other than man and includes birds, reptiles, fish, molluscs, crustacea and bees.

Food-producing animals: records of acquisition and administration

(1) When a veterinary medicinal product is bought or otherwise acquired for a food-producing animal the keeper must, at the time, record-

(a) the name of the product and the batch number;

(b) the date of acquisition;

(c) the quantity acquired; and

(d) the name and address of the supplier.

(2) At the time of administration (unless the administration is by a veterinary surgeon in which case the record must be in accordance with regulation 18) he must record-

(a) the name of the product;

(b) the date of administration;

(c) the quantity administered;

(d) the withdrawal period; and

(e) the identity of the animals treated.

(3) If he disposes of any or all of the veterinary medicinal product other than by treating an animal, he must record—

(a) the date of disposal;

(b) the quantity of product involved; and

(c) how and where he disposed of it.

(4) It is an offence to fail to comply with this regulation.

Food-producing animals: retention of records
(1) The keeper of a food-producing animal must keep the documentation on the acquisition of a veterinary medicinal product and the records relating to the product for at least five years following the administration or other disposal of the product, irrespective of whether or not the animal concerned is no longer in his possession or has been slaughtered or has died during that period.

(2) It is an offence to fail to comply with this regulation.

SKITTLES

Just for the record, it was Shipston’s turn to win the skittles - so we let them.  Sometimes we are so sporting that I think we ought to represent England at cricket…
Peter Edwards

MEMBERSHIP MATTERS

I am very pleased to be able to welcome two new members: Bob Church from Bishop’s Itchington and Steve Sidaway from Leek Wootton.  We wish you both full supers!
Peter Edwards

CHANGES TO OUR COMMITTEE

Due to work commitments, Brian will not be able to take part in SBKA activities for some considerable time, so I am pleased to be able to report that the committee has co-opted John Beaumont as a new committee member.  John has been an active member of the Association, is a keen member of the BIG and, with useful IT skills, will be an asset to the committee.
Peter Edwards

ALMOND POLLINATION IN THE USA

The American Bee Journal carried a note that there are now approximately 2 million commercial colonies in USA.  Currently 1.3 million are needed for almond pollination and this figure is expected to rise to 1.5 million in 2008 and 2 million in 2012.  Beekeepers are currently receiving up to $125-$150 now, so pollination work is a better option than honey production.  The possibility of trucking bees form Canada and Mexico is being considered.  The magazine also notes that 10% of colonies in Florida are Africanised – with perhaps 40,000 going to California for almonds!
Peter Edwards