Few names in the world of honey bee research are as respected as Professor Stephen Martin. For nearly four decades, his work has shaped how scientists and beekeepers understand one of the most serious threats to honey bees – the Varroa destructor mite – and its link to deadly bee…
Precision nutrition for honey bees: The “super‑food” that could transform UK beekeeping
In recent years UK beekeepers have faced mounting pressures: reduced floral diversity, unpredictable weather, parasites, pesticides and landscape change. Against this backdrop, a significant scientific breakthrough may offer a fresh tool. Researchers at Oxford University, working alongside Kew, Greenwich and partners in Denmark, have engineered a yeast‑based supplement that supplies…
Healthy Bees Plan 2030: Provision of Hive Side Training – Tender
We are seeking up to three contractors to provide hive side training to intermediate hobbyist beekeepers to teach beekeepers how to recognise pests and diseases and ensure good husbandry practices. The requirement is separated into three lots covering three regions: Lot 1: North of England and Midlands Lot 2: South…
Facebook – Growing Our Online Community
Our Facebook page, managed by Jo Brown, also continues to thrive. In Jo’s latest update, shared with members, she wrote: “The Facebook page now has 665 members and is relatively trouble-free. There’s a bit more beekeeping management discussion going on, and I’m still getting the usual seasonal swarm help requests.…
Honey Sales – A Sweet Success for 2025
This season has once again seen strong honey sales across a range of outlets and events, helping to promote local beekeeping and support association funds. Honey was sold at both the World Bee Day event and the Emley Show, where it continued to command premium prices, reflecting the quality of…
2025 Hive Count
The National Bee Unit is pleased to launch the 2025 National Hive Count today, 1st of November. The hard slog of summer beekeeping is done so make yourself a nice cup of tea, grab your laptop and sink into your favourite chair. It’s time to update your BeeBase records! We…
New apiculture programme published
The England Apiculture Programme for 2025-2028 has been published on BeeBase. The programme provides measures to support beekeepers and bee farmers by training events on bee health and husbandry practices as well as improving identification of pests and diseases through hive-side advisory inspections. The programme is delivered by APHA’s National…
Safeguarding measures on honey bees and apiculture products from Ukraine
Tropilaelaps mite presents a significant biosecurity risk to Great Britain’s bee population. In recent years the population of Tropilaelaps mercedesae has spread westward from its native range in Asia. There are now confirmed populations in western Russia and Georgia. Surveillance for Tropilaelaps mite in Ukraine is currently limited. Given the…
Apiary Update – Growth, Challenges, and Gratitude
This year has been another important chapter in the continued development of our association apiary, with steady progress in both infrastructure and use. A budget was set last year to cover groundwork and essential equipment purchases, and we are now reaching a point where the apiary is well resourced to…
July – Shows, Sessions, and Social Buzz
July was a busy and rewarding month for our association, filled with opportunities to showcase our members’ skills and share our passion for beekeeping. Several members took part in and exhibited at the Great Yorkshire Show, one of the finest honey shows in the country. We were delighted to see…