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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Alastair" data-source="post: 13403" data-attributes="member: 13">A lot of the misinformation from Springbank Honey and friends was to criticize the accuracy of the swab tests done on the boxes, with the (false) claim being repeatedly made that <<all beehives have some AFB so these tests would find it in any used boxes>>.So here is a cut and paste from Tristan"s link, which is from the AFB management agency, the part explaining how these tests are done -QUOTE - "Swabbing stored beekeeping equipment is used only after an assessment has been made regarding a combination of the following:1. Unacceptable levels of clinical AFB have been found within colonies or hives, greater than the national average.2. Repeated non-complying behaviour by the affected beekeeper over a period of time proving a lack of commitment to the AFB NPMP.3. Poor AFB management practices are observed in the field.4. Behaviour or practices that suggest a beekeeper may be concealing an AFB issue within their operation.Once we suspect the presence of AFB-contaminated gear in a storage shed, swab samples are arranged to be collected from random stacks of used boxes.   • Up to ten different surfaces may be tested by the same swab. Sample numbers and the number of surfaces swabbed are recorded. Multiple swabs may be combined into 1 test, if lager scale testing is required. • A swab test determines the quantity of AFB spores in the sample. Based on the spore level testing done to date, the threshold of 18,000 spores is used.   • The spore load from a positive sample is calculated by multiplying the number of items swabbed, with the assumption that all spores came from one box or base alone, which is generally observed when a clinical hive has been missed.   o Example 1: If the spore count from swabbing 5 surfaces was 5,300 spores, the total spore load for the sample size is 5,300 x 5 = 26,500. o Example 2: If the spore count from swabbing 10 surfaces was 3,450 spores, the total spore load for the sample size is 3,450 x 10 = 34,500. • Composite swab test results with over 18,000 spores indicated from a potential single box or hive demonstrates that the equipment either came from an AFB-infected hive or was associated with one.   • This level of AFB contamination is likely to transmit future AFB infections within the beekeeper’s hives and apiaries. Therefore, the contaminated equipment is directed to be destroyed to minimise the risk of future spread through their beekeeping operation and to neighbouring beekeeping businesses".</blockquote>

Verification: What type of honey is New Zealand famous for?

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