The Earl of Haddingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will publish in the Official Report the guidelines by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on which drugs are most appropriate for the treatment of varroa disease in bees. [HL1865]
§ Lord DonoughueThere is one veterinary medicinal product available for the treatment of varroa disease in bees: Bayvarol Strips. This is an opaque white plastic strip containing the active ingredient flumethrin.
The Earl of Haddingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the preparations known to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate for use in combating varroa disease in bees; and which of these preparations have caused concern to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, stating the findings. [HL1866]
§ Lord DonoughueThe Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is aware that a lack of authorised veterinary products has meant for many years that beekeepers have used preparations which have been developed for other, often industrial, purposes which they have found, probably accidentally, to have particular curative properties. In respect of most of these non-medicinal curative substances it will be clear whether or not they present a danger to consumers. The VMD is not aware of any health hazards that have arisen from the use by beekeepers over the past few years of preparations such as talc, formic or lactic acid, although there is considerable concern about a preparation called "Frow mixture" (apparently comprising nitrobenzene, petrol, ligroin, methyl salicylate and safrol) about which we are seeking further information.