Here's a translation of the above letter, courtesy of Peter Dillon. 

Thanks, Peter.

Gan, 06/03/2003

Sir, Madam,

In view of the problem that is represented by the occasional presence of antibiotic residues in honey, our enterprise was equipped last year with material permitting detection of such residues.

The results of analyses undertaken on the year 2002 honey harvest clearly shows that an awareness by beekeepers is needed and that apicultural practices must evolve.

The determination of an accepted threshold for antibiotic residues by all the countries of the E.U. is presently being discussed in Brussels. The French Beekeepers, via. their representatives, have demanded that the admitted maximum limit does not exceed the threshold of 15 ppb. (i.e. 15 mg per tonne).

Once the relevant text has been promulgated, it will be strictly imposed on all individuals conditioning and commercialising honey. This signifies that all honey lots exceeding the threshold will be declared totally unfit for consumption. Such a lot therefore would be susceptible for destruction at the cost of the producer.

The conclusions from our campaign of analyses for the year show clearly that the persistence in hives from an antibiotic treatment against AFB at the level of an authorised dose is 4 to 6 months. Harvests from all treated hives from February and through out the spring period are therefore unfit for consumption.

Only a treatment effected before the winter period, if it is justified from a pathological point of view, would allow for normal commercialisation of harvests from the following spring period.

Counting on your professionalism and rigour.

Yours Sincerely