site.btaBee Keepers in SW Bulgaria Protest over Spraying against Nodular Dermatitis

Bee Keepers in SW Bulgaria Protest over Spraying against Nodular Dermatitis

Sofia, July 6 (BTA) - For two days in a row, bee keepers from Gotse Delchev (South Western Bulgaria) protested over the aerial spraying against nodular dermatitis in the region. On Tuesday they prevented the aircraft conducting the spraying from taking off, but on Wednesday the protestors were stopped on their way to the runway by a human chain of policemen, and the aircraft took flight, bTV reported.

The protesting bee keepers threatened to close the road to the Greek city of Drama.

According to the protestors, the citral used in the spraying kills not only mosquitos but also bees, and affects the quality of honey. They referred to the Beekeeping Act which prohibits such spraying during the honey-collection period and requires a distance of 800 metres from the apiaries.

The Agriculture and Food Ministry ordered the spraying due to the fast spreading of nodular dermatitis. The disease has led to the culling of 800 cows in the region of Gotse Delchev alone.