Colony Collapse Disorder CCD in Australia ?

[Chiefman]

Does Australia have Colony Collapse Disorder CCD ?
It seems this recent article indicates we do not.


http://goo.gl/OJXn1m

Do we use the neonicotinoid's that may cause this problem?

[D Coates]

To my knowledge there's no CCD down under.  Heck, I'm not aware of any diagnosed cases in the past few years in the states for that matter.  Also to my knowledge neonics are used there just as they're used in the states.  The one thing that you don't have that Europe and the US does is varroa mites.  Many of the anti neonic folks don't like to be reminded of that as they pursue trying to ban neonics, claiming it's the root cause of high bee losses.  The root cause for losses is unmistakably varroa.

[Suncat]

I have just read this on the ABC News website. Interesting reading, but not sure what we as bee keepers can do about it, other than keep strong active hives.

http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/02/10/4176386.htm

This next article is a lot more of a concern though.

http://www.abc.net.au/site-archive/rural/news/content/201211/s3639408.htm

Thanks
John

[Chiefman]

Looks like we dodged that bullet..phew

It's just a matter of time till it comes here