Press Release: Protection of bees: Commission steps up measures against exotic parasites

The European Commission adopted a Decision on 11 December 2003 stepping up measures to protect the European Union bee population from two exotic parasites. The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida, and the parasitic mite, Tropilaelaps, have never been reported in the EU but, if introduced from third countries, they could severely endanger bee health, the apiculture industry and honey production. To prevent the parasites from being introduced into the EU the measures now adopted will limit imports of both live honey bees and bumble bees and require imported bees to be examined for signs of the parasites when they arrive in the EU.