Treatment of bees with oxytetracycline consultation launched
Thursday 25 March 2010
The Food Standards Agency in Scotland has launched a consultation on proposed honey testing following treatment of bees with oxytetracycline (OTC) last autumn to control an outbreak of European Foulbrood (EFB).
The consultation outlines a proposed testing strategy and seeks comment on suitable levels for testing for OTC residues. Similar consultations have been carried out in Northern Ireland & Wales.
The consultation period ends on Thursday 15 April 2010 and following consideration of responses, the testing strategy will be implemented when 2010 honey production starts.
The science behind the story
European Foulbrood is a notifiable and devastating bacterial disease of bees and OTC is the only registered treatment for its control. In response to an outbreak of EFB in honeybees in eastern Scotland during 2009, the Scottish Government initiated a voluntary programme of OTC treatment of affected hives in September 2009. Approximately 4,660 hives were treated following honey collection and prior to overwintering. However, due to the complex nature of bee colony biology and perhaps because no honey is produced during overwintering, it is possible that residues of OTC will be present in honey from treated hives once production commences this spring.
At parts per million levels, OTC residues may disturb the balance of intestinal bacteria. At the levels considered here however, OTC residues do not raise any food safety concerns. However OTC residues in honey should be minimised.
The Agency continues to liaise with Scottish Government, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and other relevant bodies to ensure that honey produced from OTC treated hives in spring 2010 will be tested for OTC residues. Results will be copied to the Agency, Scottish Government and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and further action taken as necessary.
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