The head of the Hawke's Bay Beekeepers Association is so concerned about a recent outbreak of American foul brood disease in hives that he has organised a "bring and burn" day.
Association president John Berry says that after an outbreak of the disease in the Waiohiki area on the southern outskirts of Napier 30 hives had to be destroyed by burning.
He says it was a wake-up call to the industry in the region, as American foul brood spores can survive for at least 40 years on wooden materials.
Mr Berry wants all Hawke's Bay beekeepers to clean out their sheds and put all broken frames, wobbly boxes and any other disused equipment onto a trailer.
He says any material delivered to Arataki Honey in Havelock North by 9am on Saturday 24 September will be burnt safely.
