Information for Beekeepers
The beekeeping information is provided by individual members of the Kent Bee-keepers' Association.
This year the bee inspection season began on April 1st and as usual the team went up to the Food and Environment Agency (FERA) at Sand Hutton, York for our Technical Training Seminar. We always start the season in this way, 3 days of intensive training and revision for Bee Inspectors before the business of inspecting colonies starts in earnest.
Each year I ask beekeepers on my mailing list for information on honey yields and prices in the South East Region. My thanks are due to those who have contributed to the 2013 survey. This year I have had 414 replies.
All the Sussex Divisions offer education for beginners and experienced beekeepers. This education takes the form of practical demonstrations, theory lessons and mentoring all aimed to improve the confidence and skills of our members. In addition, the British Beekeeping Association provides an Education Framework with practical assessments and examinations.
Following a credible report of an Asian Hornet sighting in the South East area close to Maidstone, Kent; last week a local Bee Inspector was dispatched to carry out further field investigation. SIGHTING NOT CONFIRMED
Populations of bees and other insect pollinators have fallen dramatically in recent years. The reasons for these declines are complex and wide ranging, but there is little doubt that pesticides are playing a key part. PAN UK has launched this website to cut through the confusion and provide an up-to date and balanced explanation of the role of pesticides in pollinator declines.
Aliya Mohammed Ali Sajwani, a PhD student at Sultan Qaboos University, won the largest number of prizes in the National Honey Show held in London 2012 for the Omani honey she exhibited.
There continues to be substantial media coverage of honey bees and other pollinators which is to be welcomed. A number of campaigns have been launched recently, designed to 'help' bees. There is a risk that these campaigns may confuse the issue.