An outbreak of a highly contagious and untreatable bee disease has been detected in the Highlands.
American Foulbrood, a disease affecting colonies of honeybees, has been found in an apiary in Inverness-shire.
The disease was confirmed this week following laboratory diagnosis by Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture.
This follows two previous outbreaks of the disease in the Perthshire area earlier this year.
The Scottish Government confirmed the affected hive will be destroyed as there is no permitted treatment for the disease in the UK, while there are no risks to public health from it and no implications for the quality and safety of honey.
The movement of bees and related equipment into or out of the affected apiary is prohibited.
Bee farmers and beekeepers are being urged to be vigilant for signs of the disease, to maintain good husbandry practices and to notify any suspicion of disease to BeesMailbox@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
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