OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health Bee Research Laboratory) and Apimondia has just announced an international symposium on the Diagnosis and Control of Bee Diseases, to be held in Freiberg, Germany, on 26 and 28 August 2008. The deadline for abstract submission is 1 May 2008.

The spreading of diseases due to the world-wide transport of bees and bee products represents an increasing problem. The responsible authorities in the individual countries are continuously confronted with new clinical pictures and pathogen agents. The laboratories charged with the diagnosis of bee diseases are therefore bound to continue adapting and modernising their methods.

Already the first symposium in Dublin/Ireland in August 2005 brought significant progress in this respect. So, the chapter “American Foulbrood” in the OIE manual could be revised and updated completely, according to latest scientific standard. This could only be achieved because of information exchange and transfer of knowledge.

Among others, we would also like to discuss with you the possibilities of ring tests and comparative laboratory examinations. Apart from diagnosing, also possibilities of bee disease control should be treated. This is not only important for bee health but concerns also residue avoiding in bee products.

The number of participants will be limited, so early registration is strongly encouraged. The registration fee includes conference documents, coffee breaks and supper (3 days), one dinner and one sight-seeing tour.

• Before 1 May 2008: € 150 for all participants
• After 1 May 2008: € 200 for all participants

For more information, please contact:

Dr. Wolfgang Ritter
CVUA Freiburg, FB: Bienen (bee team)
Am Moosweiher 2, D 79108 Freiburg
National and International (OIE) Reference Laboratory for bee diseases
Telephone: +49 761 1502 175 or +49 761 1502 0
Fax: +49 761 1502 299 or +49 761 62036
Email: info@oie-freiburg.de
Web: www.beehealth.info

See also:

• Freiburg, Germany
• Honey bee diseases and pests: a practical guide (PDF file) — booklet by Wolfgang Ritter and Pongthep Akratanakul
• OIE - World organisation for animal health / Organisation mondiale de la santé animale