Interesting item on Radio 4 Today Programme that might be
considered as a paradigm or allegory for the future effect of
the EU on the UK.

It seems that a mite, which endangers bees, arrived in Devon from
the South of France around seven years ago. 
This mite feeds on the 'blood' of honeybees so weakening them and
leaving them fatally prey to infections and disease.

Most of the wild honeybees in this country have already been killed
off and over 60% of our cultivated hives are infected across England
and Wales and this infestation has now crossed the boarder into
Scotland.

The mite can be controlled chemically but at very high cost.  This
excessive cost has, so far, driven about 30% of the commercial bee
keepers in England and Wales out of business and according to an
apiarist spokesman the same could happen to the rest unless
government help is forthcoming.

Might, I suggest, this infestation have arrived in this country in the
same way as myxomatosis in the fifties?

This pattern seems to me to be an excellent demonstration of our
continued relationship with the EU and their interference in UK
affairs.  They get in by the back door, make any directives too
expensive to implement so limiting the ability of our industries
to survive then refuse our government permission to help with
grants so that the any affected business has to cease trading by
being uncompetitive.  Probably to be replaced by highly suspect
'CERTIFIED' products from the European mainland such as the
directives on sheepmeat transportation, the directives which
closed down all of our smaller, efficient, slaughterhouses
and now The European Small Craft Directive.

A final point.  Would this little story make the humble bumblebee a
suitable symbol for a collective of europhobes and eurosceptics? 

Best regards - Colin Thompson                                                        TOP