31/07/2009 - Hives destroyed due to bee disease
Four beehives are set to be destroyed in Scotland after an outbreak of a disease that affects colonies of honeybees.
The hives at three separate apiaries - sites where beehives are kept - in Perthshire have been targeted after they were found to have been infected with American Foulbrood.
Inspections are now taking place after a surveillance zone was set up around the infected sites, the Scottish Government said.
Initial investigations around the Perthshire area into a less serious strain of the disease, European Foulbrood, led to the discovery of the American disease.
Already, 40 hives containing European Foulbrood have been destroyed after examinations of 1,093 hives found 61 tested positive.
Beekeepers are urged to be vigilant for signs of both diseases and to notify they Scottish Government's Rural Inspections and Payments Directorate if they suspect either are present in their hives.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
Related links
|
