A DISEASE which could destroy hives of honey bees has broken out across North Yorkshire.

The Food and Environmental Research Agency identified several outbreaks of European Foulbrood, in the county over the last three months.

The bacterial disease can cause the deaths of bee larvae by starving the cells of the still-growing bee larvae, and can be spread unintentionally by beekeepers.

One case was identified in Cloughton, near Scarborough, in April and cases were found in both Copmanthorpe and Thornton-le-Clay in May, one case was found in Church Fenton in June, and four outbreaks were identified in Selby last month.

Tom Robinson, of the Yorkshire Beekeepers’ Association, has kept bees in North Yorkshire, from Sheriff Hutton to Brayton, for 23 years, but has not been affected by the outbreak.

He said: “Once an outbreak is identified, a standstill order is issued by the National Bee Unit, so the owner cannot move their colonies or hives.

“Seasonal inspectors went into the apiary, but as far as I know, only one person so far in a village in the Selby area has reported an affected colony.

Bee colonies infected with the disease can be treated by shaking bees from infected combs on to healthy foundations or combs, and burning the damaged ones to prevent further spread.

A FERA spokeswoman said she could not confirm exactly where the most recent outbreak had been found.