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Beekeeping in the United Kingdom
In the winter of 2008, about 20% of the UK's bees died. The losses were highest in the north of England and lowest in the east. These winter losses have been increasing in recent years as some of the treatments to combat Varroa lose their efficacy.
The government researches bees at its National Bee Unit, run by the Food and Environment Research Agency at Sand Hutton in North Yorkshire, close to A64.
The Bees Act 1980 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that seeks to stop the damage caused by diseases, chemicals (such as Imidacloprid and pests that damage the wellbeing of bees). It repealed the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1941. The Act has never been put into force, and currently does not extend to Northern Ireland.
The National Bee Unit is responsible for the delivery of the Bee Health Programme in England and Wales. It is based in Sand Hutton in North Yorkshire.
The National Honey Show, the first of which was held 1923 at The Crystal Palace, is an annual British show of honey and other bee products.
The British Beekeepers' Association (BBKA) represents the amateur beekeepers in England. There are many local associations, within the county associations, which are within the BBKA. The association is a registered charity. It is based at the National Agricultural Centre in the National Beekeeping Centre, where it has been since July 2000, although it has been at Stoneleigh since 1982. Previous to 1943 it was based on Bedford Street in London. From these premises, the Beekeepers' Record and British Beekeepers' Journal were published.
The Ulster Beekeepers Association (UBKA) represents the interests of amateur beekeepers in Northern Ireland.
The Scottish Beekeepers Association (SBKA) represents the interests of Scottish amateurs.
The Welsh Beekeepers Association (WBKA) represents the interests of Welsh amateur beekeepers.
The Bee Farmers' Association of the UK (BFA) represents the commercial beekeepers of the UK.
Bee Disease Insurance (BDI) offers insurance against notifiable diseases for beekeepers in the UK.
The Confederation of National Beekeepers Associations (CONBA) represents the above associations in Europe.