Working together to improve honey bee health and husbandry in England & Wales
Defra and Welsh Government worked with stakeholders to develop the Healthy Bees Plan 2030.
The plan focusses on achieving four key outcomes:
- Effective biosecurity and good standards of husbandry, to minimise pest and disease risks and so improve the sustainability of honey bee populations.
- Enhanced skills and production capability/capacity of beekeepers and bee farmers.
- Sound science and evidence underpinning the actions taken to support bee health.
- Increased opportunities for knowledge exchange and partnership working on bee health and wider pollinator needs.
The NBU and other key stakeholders from the Bee Health Advisory Forum who have helped to develop the plan will be in the forefront of delivering its four key outcomes. These stakeholders include the British Beekeepers Association, Welsh Beekeepers’ Association, Bee Farmers’ Association, National Farmers’ Union, National Diploma in Beekeeping and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
An implementation plan has been published, detailing more than fifty actions for beekeepers, bee farmers, associations and government to work on together to achieve the outcomes in the Healthy Bees Plan 2030. Implementation plan.
Bee Health Programme
For more information on Bee Health please follow this link to Defra's guidance on protecting Honey Bees from pests and diseases.