ONCE a year, representatives of all the major beekeeping organisations meet with those of the National Bee Unit (NBU), Central Science Laboratory Plant Health Division and other related government departments.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the current situation and the future of bees and beekeeping in the UK. This forms a very useful link and enables both sides to be updated and express their concerns and points of view.

One of the first items is an update on the activities of the NBU bee inspectors in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland are dealt with by different departments). During the summer, bee inspectors visit beekeepers to inspect their colonies for notifiable diseases - American foul brood (AFB), European foul brood (EFB), small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, and another mite, Tropilaelaps. In England in 2007, 26,379 colonies in 4,387 apiaries owned by 3,242 beekeepers were inspected. This is slightly higher than in 2006. In Wales, inspections were slightly lower at 4,705 colonies compared with 4,754.

Forty-six cases of AFB were confirmed in 25 apiaries in England with Wales having 14 confirmed cases in 11 apiaries. At 0.21 per cent and 0.3 per cent of colonies inspected, this was down a little on the previous year. However, the number of confirmed cases of EFB in England rose from 548 in 223 apiaries to 609 in 221 apiaries and there was an increase in Wales from 8 cases in 4 apiaries to 15 cases in 8 apiaries. Norfolk, Devon, Suffolk and Dorset were hardest hit but worryingly, there were 27 confirmed cases in South Yorkshire and 9 in West Yorkshire. In previous years, outbreaks of EFB in Yorkshire had been traced to movements of colonies from the south of the country. Three outbreaks in Cumbria were traced to bee movements.

Another check on the list of the bee inspectors is for varroa mites which are resistant to pyrethroids (Apistan and Bayvarol). These have now been confirmed as far north as Cumbria and Northumberland so beekeepers everywhere really do need to be checking that these mites have not reached their apiaries. If they have, then alternate methods of control must be employed or it is likely that the colonies will die.

Bee inspectors are also looking for exotic pests, ie, those which are not native to these islands. The two that are legally notifiable are SHB and Tropilaelaps. Anyone not familiar with these pests should click on "Bee diseases" on the NBU website (http://beebase.csl.gov.uk) or obtain a copy of the Bee Craft Apiary Guide (www.bee-craft.com/shop). These both give good descriptions of these pests and you need to keep your eyes open for them when inspecting your colonies.

In England, 1968 colonies were inspected for these pests in 465 apiaries with 574 colonies being checked in 119 Welsh apiaries. In preparation for the possible arrival of both pests, the NBU has been carrying out contingency exercises in all areas. Here, a possible sighting is reported to the bee inspectors and they then respond according to the contingency plan. The exercise is reviewed and the plan refined further. It is to be hoped that the inspectors never have to respond for real and it really is up to us beekeepers to make ourselves aware of both pests and keep an eye open for them. If you suspect something, get in touch with your local inspector or, if you don't know who they are, contact the NBU on 01904 462510.

The NBU is taking measures for the early detection and identification of SHB should it reach the UK. Traps have been placed and are inspected regularly at sentinel apiaries around ports and other sites of entry such as airports and military bases. If SHB does arrive, the NBU has been granted a special licence to use CheckMite, an organophosphate authorised in the USA.

Bee inspectors also offer training in bee health and disease management so why not see if your local beekeeping association is holding such an event? You will find it invaluable in helping you keep your bees as healthy as possible.

There has been much talk about Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), particularly in the USA but also in parts of Europe. Obviously there is speculation as to whether it has reached the UK and the NBU has been checking on reports of abnormal colony losses over the past year. There has been a steady upward trend in colony deaths since 2001. Samples were collected from dead colonies in 2007 and analysed. Initial results indicate that different disease organisms are involved in spring and summer deaths.

In spring 2007, the main cause of colony deaths was inappropriate varroa treatment. This includes the use of pyrethroids when the mites are resistant to this chemical or treatment too late in the season. As well as varroa, debris from colonies dying in spring also contained high levels of deformed wing virus (DWV) and nosema. DWV is spread by varroa and keeping mite levels low will help to control it. However, in the summer, dead colonies showed high levels of chronic paralysis virus (CPV) which is not transmitted by varroa mites. If colonies are confined to the hive, as during the bad weather we experienced, then CPV can spread rapidly.

Reports were also given for Scotland and Northern Ireland. New bee disease and pest legislation came into force in Scotland on 1 December 2007 of which beekeepers need to be aware. Significant levels of AFB were found in Northern Ireland but no EFB was detected. In both regions, checks are being made for pyrethroid-resistant varroa.

Beekeeping representatives took the opportunity to raise other matters of concern. One such as the new traffic light labelling system which has been introduced, mainly by supermarkets. This is designed to inform the consumer of the nutritional constituents of a food product. They can easily and quickly identify levels of calories, sugar, fat, saturates and salt. Because of honey's composition, it would be labelled "Red". The Food Standards Agency has assured beekeepers that this is a voluntary scheme and is generally intended for use on composite foods.

Increasingly, beekeepers are not being allowed to locate honey bees in nature reserves and similar properties because they are deemed not to be a native species and hence will compete with those that are for food and nesting sites. However, there is little if any evidence that honey bees out-compete other species such as bumblebees and archaeological investigations have shown that they have been in the UK since at least Viking times. The only areas where there could be problems are those where, for instance, a rare bee species is found or many hives are moved into an area, such as when colonies are taken to the heather. Beekeepers were asked to take a responsible attitude to such cases and consider the availability of pollen and nectar sources at each apiary site.

The CSL Plant Health Division, which includes the NBU, put forward the first draft of a Bee Health Strategy which was discussed. Further discussions are being held with stakeholders with an amended draft due at the end of January. This will be discussed by the Bee Health Advisory Panel in February and the final draft is timetabled for the end of March. Assuming the Minister is happy with the draft, there will be a public consultation for four months beginning in April. This will lead to the final version in August/September and implementation starting in the autumn.

On 1 April 2009, a new agency is to be established. Its working title if the Regulatory Science Agency and it will consist of the current Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, Plant Health Division and Plant Variety and Seeds Division. The Pesticides Safety Inspectorate will remain as part of the Health and Safety Inspectorate.

The Annual Bee Meeting is an excellent forum which offers the chance of dialogue between all those who have an interest and concern for bees. We do not yet know what impact the Bee Health Strategy will have on our individual beekeeping but you will be able to put forward your opinions during the public consultation period and all beekeepers are encouraged to do so.