Latest message from Andy Wattam, National Bee Inspector
Published Oct 19, 2011
Thymol Misuse.
All this cutting corners and messing about with stuff. It is quite easy to make bees abscond with Thymol misuse and that is not what we need people, particularly beginners to be experiencing.
It is really important that beekeepers understand that where, for example, high levels of Thymol residue were found in Honey in a sample either taken by the Bee Inspectorate, or Trading Standards, and the beekeeper has been using an authorised product then there is a defined route for investigation as to why that has occurred, with a licensed product under the adverse events scheme.
However, if the beekeeper has been using some sort of home-made concoction, then they would not have a leg to stand on and would potentially be open to prosecution.
We need to make our members aware of this – and also that there is a Legal requirement for Beekeepers to maintain records of medicines used, under the Veterinary Medicines Regulations, because Bees are legally deemed to be ‘Food Producing Animals’. Section Nine in the document shown below outlines this, and a useful record sheet is attached.
http://www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/pdf/vmgn/VMGNote16.pdf
Best Wishes
Andy
Andy Wattam
National Bee Inspector.
Head of Bee Health Field Inspection Service for England & Wales.
Willow House
4, Lincoln Road
Bassingham
Lincolnshire.
LN5 9HE
Telephone: 01522 789726 and 07775 027524
Website: www.nationalbeeunit.com
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