BBKA News

BBKA News

• Government responds to Small Hive Beetle Petition

  As our petition to Stop the Importation of Honeybees into GB from the EU via Northern Ireland has passed 10,000 the point at which the government has to give a response Defra have responded and you can see that below. We need to get to 100,000 signatures to get the petition debated in Parliament. "We recognise the serious threat posed by small hive beetle. EU areas affected by this pest are not permitted to export to the UK. Strict controls apply to imports into the UK from other areas" "The Government recognises that some beekeepers are concerned about the new trading arrangements and the risks of exotic pests entering Great Britain, in particular small hive beetle. Small hive beetle would present a serious threat to our honey bees if it were to arrive in the UK. This invasive pest has only been detected in one part of Europe, namely southern Italy, and exports of bees from the affected region into either Great Britain or Northern Ireland are not permitted. Imports o...

• Reporting Varroa - April 2021

  Reporting Varroa Amendments to the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006, the Bees Diseases and Pest Control (Scotland) Order 2007 and the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (Wales) Order 2006 come into force on the 21st of April 2021 requiring all beekeepers and/or officials in GB to report the presence of Varroa in any of the hives that they manage. This amendment will allow Great Britain to comply with the Animal Health Law which is necessary for future working relationships with the European Union. To make this simple, a tick box will be introduced to BeeBase, the voluntary register for beekeepers managed by the National Bee Unit. This will be the easiest way to report Varroa but an alternative mechanism will be provided for those who do not wish to register on the BeeBase system. Details of this alternative system will be provided after 21st April. If Scottish Beekeepers wish to, they can report varroa by contacting the Scottish Bee Health Insp...

• Petition to stop importing honeybees

  The problem is that at least one beekeeping business has said that they want to import bees to the UK through Northern Ireland. The bees they are sourcing come from southern Italy where a serious invasive species and parasite of bees, the Small Hive Beetle is established. The inspections on bees are extremely limited and we are fearful that a small, clubbed antenna, beetle will be able to evade their scrutiny and be imported to the mainland.  Please Sign the parliamentary petition to stop this!  CLICK HERE This is the larvae of small hive beetle within a hive. Please Sign the parliamentary petition to stop this!  CLICK HERE >>>https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/577603 And please support the work we do -ends- 

• Save the Bees

  Help the British Beekeepers’ Association raise essential funds for research into the threats which honeybees face.  Please give generously. Current Research Projects  These are some of the exciting projects we are currently supporting. Dr Barbara Smith, University of Coventry  Dr Smith is planning to evaluate the effect of particulate matter (pollution) on honey bee colonies by placing sensors in apiaries which will monitor the presence of particles of 10 microns and smaller ones of 2.5 microns.  She is looking to recruit beekeepers in the Midlands to take part in this study and to provide samples of bees and hive products. To take part in this project register on this page https://www.thrivinghive.co.uk/take-part or Email Dr Barbara Smith for more information. Professor Juliet Osborne and Dr Peter Kennedy.  University of Exeter  This group have a large project working on various aspects of the Asian Hornet some of whic...

• Advanced Husbandry Assessment training courses 2021

  Book now for Advanced Husbandry Assessment training courses 2021 Click here to book

• Say no to the mow!

  Help the bees by encouraging people to not cut their lawns whilst important early spring forage is flowering If you want to help promote this then please download and share any of these images. Some associations have written to their local press and got coverage of the importance of early flowers for food for bees. Follow us on social media https://twitter.com/britishbee https://www.facebook.com/TheBritishBeekeepersAssociation https://www.instagram.com/britishbeekeepers/ There are 5 simple actions everyone can take to help pollinators: Grow more flowers, shrubs and trees Let your garden grow wild Cut your grass less often Don’t disturb insect nest and hibernation spots Think carefully about whether to use pesticides Here's a press release you can download and send to local media:  saynotothemow!.docx PDF version

• AHW 2021 Press Release

• Catch-up on Spring Convention

  Catch-up on Spring Convention for Only £12 until 31st May 2021 Register for Spring Convention or log in here  When you're logged in to the Spring Convention website you'll see this on the lobby page: The Catch-up Video on demand option is the one to use. The recordings will be available until 31st May 2021. This gives you plenty of time to watch the presentations again. YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOq0OQJ6-_I Register for Spring Convention or log in here 

• Feedback for BBKA Spring Convention

  BBKA Spring Convention Feedback  Please leave us feedback on your thoughts on this year's spring convention Click here to give Feedback 

• Keynote address BBKA Spring Convention 2021: Tipping Points and Perceptions

  Keynote Address BBKA Spring Convention 2021: Tipping Points and Perceptions It is an understatement to say that humankind faces many challenges many of which are of its own creation. Honey bees and humans have had a long relationship and species of the genus Apis, and many other bee species have contributed greatly to human civilisation around the world. The British Isles are no exception to this. Our reliance on pollinators and the particular contribution made by the honey bees should be front and centre in our society’s planning for the future. This short presentation considers several topics and introduces the question as to whether we have reached a series of tipping points in our beekeeping and whether our current practices and perceptions really are fit for purpose and in the best interests of our honey bee. Dr David Aston is a Master Beekeeper having kept bees continuously for 40 years in the East Riding Of Yorkshire. He holds the National Diploma in Beekeeping, has b...