Beekeepers cope with threat to hive off cash (From Stroud News and Journal)

Beekeepers cope with threat to hive off cash

BEEKEEPERS in Stroud are refusing to be stung by Government plans to cut costs to a national bee health scheme.

The government is planning to cut the Honeybee Health Programme by £1/4-million.

Although some business leaders have raised concerns, keepers in the Five Valleys are adamant the cuts will not affect them too badly. The main implication will be a reduction in the number of inspectors employed to monitor two diseases in bee colonies.

European and American foul brood can both cause a bee colony to perish.

The Forum of Private Business is angry about the cuts, saying it's not only small-scale honey producers who will be affected, but also those in the agricultural industry who depend on bees to pollinate crops.

But Roger Eldridge, chairman of Stroud Beekeepers, remains upbeat. According to him, the cuts will only result in the loss of inspection for the European strain of the disease, the treatment of which many beekeepers are dubious about anyway.

"We are the only country which actually monitors European foul brood," said Mr Eldridge, of Edgeworth. "The American version is actually much more dangerous.

"However, local inspectors do play a more informal role in the beekeeping community as 'educators' to local enthusiasts, they are friends and advisors.

"Beekeeping is thriving as a hobby in the Stroud area, and there are plenty of people who will advise on diseases."

However, other keepers raise concerns. "It is wrong for the Government to cut funding," said experienced beekeeper Meinte (corr) Appelmelk (corr), His main concern is not for expert beekeepers, but for novices.

"They could easily find themselves having to burn an entire hive and starting from scratch," 74, he said. 25 years ruskin mill and his garden at nailwsortyh wlakley wood.

Mr Eldridge is running an Introduction to Beekeeping course at Stroud College from March 1 to 15 next year, which costs £20.