NEWS
Inexorable spread of bird ‘flu
H
aving been identi-
fied originally at
poultry farms near
Standerton and the Vaal,
more than 24 outbreaks of
the H5N8 strain of bird flu
have been identified since
June, says to the Dept of
Agriculture, Forestry &
Fisheries.
Provinces affected now
include Gauteng,
MAILBAG
Troublesome beehive siting
S
ir ~ My neighbour has
elected to site some
beehives close to our
common boundary
fence. Trouble is, on my side
of the fence there is a bridle
path used by children and
their ponies going to and fro
to the stables etc.
Now we all know that
children, ponies and bees are
an unhappy combination and
I am concerned that we may
have a situation that ends in
tears … or worse.
My neighbour being a
recalcitrant fellow with a
limited ear for reason, I fear I
will have to resort to other
tactics than mere words to
convince him of his stupidity.
Thus, can anybody tell me
what the beekeeper's
responsibilities and obligations
are concerning the safe siting
of his hives, or in relation to
siting hives up against a
boundary fence, the activities
on the other side of which he
has no control over.
Mountain Man
(name supplied)
By email
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5
www.sasmallholder.co.za
Mpumalanga and the Western
Cape.
According to the department,
there have been ten out-
breaks in commercial
chickens, three outbreaks in
commercial ostrich, five
outbreaks in wild birds, three
outbreak in birds that were
kept as a hobby and three
outbreaks in backyard poultry.
All the affected properties
were placed under quarantine
and 'disease control measures'
(a euphemism for culling)
have commenced.
Continued on page 6