Risk assessment of bee diseases in the Slovak Republic and the impact of these diseases on the bee products

Risk assessment of the impact of diseases of bees and bee brood of bees on products concerning risk assessment mainly on honey, wax, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom. At the same time, it should be noted that morbidity bees, has a negative impact on the number of population of bee colonies in Slovakia but also on agricultural production and the environment (rapid reduction of pollinated plants and the consequent reduction in crop yields per hectare). American foulbrood, European foulbrood, Varroa mite, Tracheal mite, Tropilaelaps mite and Small hive beetle are the diseases (possibly pests of bees), causing huge financial losses due to the death of bee colonies. The greatest risk of health issues hives is the use of medications in the prevetion and treatment of dangerous diseases of bees and bee brood. While at the national level and at EU can not use antibiotics and sulfonamides or in the prevention and even treatment, in many other countries in the world it is common practice the use of these drugs in beehives. Subsequent import of honey from these countries to the EU are at risk of honeys on the market for residues of antibiotics and sulfonamides. The situation is different when using acaricidal drugs to control Varroa mite, because treatment is mandatory and necessary to maintain relatively good health bee colonies. However, there are also the occurrence of residues acaricidal substances in honey, which is only set MRLs for amitraz and tau-fluvalinate (substances used in the Slovak Republic). By using these products is a risk of their residues in honey consumption and the risk of end-users.
SK; sk; efsa.focalpoint@land.gov.sk