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BIBBA Monthly – October 2021
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A Proposal for a National Honey Bee Improvement Programme
If, as an alternative to the importation of queens, we established a National Bee Improvement Programme which selected and propagated the best local bees, a good reason could then be made for not using imported bees. Beekeepers would benefit in two ways, that is, in a reduction in the biosecurity risks associated with imports, and through the opportunity of supporting and participating in a project that could deliver a better-quality bee. Taking part in a scheme to sustainably improve our bees would provide a definite reason to refrain from the use of imported bees.
Beekeepers come swarming to the Sustainability days
BIBBA hosted nine events across the country (presented by Roger Patterson) called “Sustainability – Bees and Queens for Everybody using low cost, simple techniques”. Over 1,300 beekeepers at all stages of their beekeeping careers attended the sellout event. The day’s presentation was created by Roger after a Defra survey last…
Strategy
Strategy Statement BIBBA supports and promotes the sustainable conservation, restoration, study, selection, and improvement of honey bees that are native to the British Isles and Ireland (often referred to as the European Dark Bee or Apis mellifera mellifera).
Sustainability – Bees and Queens for Everyone using low-cost, simple methods
There is growing concern amongst beekeepers of all abilities and experience about the ever-increasing importation of bees and queens. This is on several grounds, including the possibilities of introducing pests, diseases and pathogens, aggression in subsequent generations and unsuitability to our fickle climate. Defra has recently conducted a Queen Replacement…