At the BBKA Annual Delegates Meeting on 13th January, 2022, HBA proposed two of the three most significant propositions discussed by over sixty associations at the meeting. Both propositions were passed by large majorities and are now therefore adopted as BBKA policy.
The first proposition reinforces BBKA’s opposition to the importation of honey bees. It was passed by 52 in favour and 12 against and is as follows:-
• In light of the great threat to the UK’s honey bees from the potential importation of non-native pests and diseases, BBKA re-affirms its complete opposition to the importation of honey bees, including individual queens, from overseas countries and the ADM mandates the EC to lobby the Government to introduce a complete ban on the import of honey bees.
The second proposition calls on the Government to prepare a comprehensive plan to counter the spread of the Asian Hornet across the UK when it arrives in large numbers within the UK. This was passed by 62 delegates with just two opposed :-
• The BBKA should continue to support the NBU in eradication of Asian Hornet incursions. BBKA should call on the Government to prepare a comprehensive plan by the end of June 2022 for the implementation of a wide scale monitoring and control programme to counter the spread of the Asian Hornet across the UK should the National Bee Unit resources be overwhelmed by Asian Hornet incursions.
HBA represents Hampshire’s beekeepers and its fourteen local associations at the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) Annual Delegate Meeting and can influence national policy on honey bees and beekeeping.
Meridian Beekeepers’ Association 