Events

BeeBase

• COVID-19 and Beekeeping update
  11 January 2021
  This is a re-issue of the guidance provided in October 2020:
  
  Please find the latest Covid-19 beekeeping guidance. The update includes separate links to the current Public Health Guidance for England, Wales and Scotland.
  
  Covid-19_and_Beekeeping_Update_v3
  
  COVID-19_and_Beekeeping_-_Welsh_Language_Version v3
  
  If you have any queries please contact:
  
  For England: BeeHealth.Info@defra.gov.uk
  For Wales: HoneyBeeHealth@gov.wales / GwenynMelIach@llyw.cymru
  For Scotland: Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot
• Starvation and Varroa Alert
  04 December 2020
  Observations from beekeepers and Bee Inspectors across the UK suggest that some colonies of bees are becoming short of food.
  
  Please monitor your colonies throughout the coming months and feed as required to ensure your bees do not starve. A standard full size British National colony needs between 20-25 kg of stores to successfully overwinter. If they need feeding at this time then fondant should be used. This should be placed above the brood nest so that the bees are able to access it easily.
  
  For further information, please see the ‘Best Practice Guidance No. 7 - Feeding Bees Sugar’ on the following BeeBase Page: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167
  
  It has also been observed that Varroa levels in some hives are starting to increase again. This may be due to a number of factors, but the exceptionally mild weather this autumn has encouraged some colonies to produce more brood than usual which has allowed an increase in mite reproduction.
  
  Please monitor mite levels and treat accordingly.
  
  For further information, please see the’ Managing Varroa’ Advisory leaflet on the following BeeBase Page: http://www.nationalbeeunit.com/index.cfm?pageid=167
• Julian Parker – Head of APHA’s National Bee Unit.
  23 November 2020
  Following a recent recruitment process Julian Parker has been appointed as Head of the National Bee Unit (NBU) within Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency. Within the NBU Julian has previously been Acting Head as well as National Bee Inspector and before that Regional Bee Inspector for Southern and South East Regions. Julian has over 12 years operational experience with the NBU including leading outbreak situations. Julian is also well known in the wider beekeeping community and his expertise is highly respected across Defra and Welsh Government as well as with Bee Health stakeholders. He has also played a key role in the review of the 2020 Healthy Bees Plan and will now play a significant role in delivering the Healthy Bee Plan 2030. Many congratulations Julian.