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Welcome to the British Beekeepers' Association

The BBKA is a charity set up in 1874. Today it has more than 16,000 members and works to support and promote honey bees and beekeeping. Educating the public of the enormous importance of honey bees and pollination to everyone's lives is one of its priorities. Another key role is to represent its members views and concerns about the health of the UK's honey bees. It lobbies government, the European Union and statutory bodies on these issues. Currently it is campaigning to raise the level of Government funding for research into the diseases which threaten to wipe out our honey bees. It is asking the Government to commit £8 million over the next five years to this research programme over which period pollination will have contributed over £800 million (£165 million per annum) into the agricultural economy.

Our current weather patterns mean there is is no fixed date to the start or end to the beekeeper's year, and like all crops, there are regional variations too. Beekeepers usually start opening their hives in March, and the first crop of honey is taken out of the hive in late April/ May. The main crop is taken out of the hive in July or early August. Some beekeepers have a later crop of heather or ivy honey which is taken off in September. Most beekeeping associations hold their end of season honey shows in October and by mid November, usually, the bees are clustering in the hive until spring.

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News Home > Journalists > BBKA Welcomes £150,000 Donation for Bee Health Research Funding

BBKA Welcomes £150,000 Donation for Bee Health Research Funding

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By Christine Gray
Honorary Press officer, British Beekeepers' Association

Published Jan 28, 2009

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PRESS RELEASE

28th January 2009


The £150,000 donation for research into the decline of the honey bee announced today, 28 January, 2009 by The Co-operative as part of  its new ‘Plan Bee’ has been welcomed by the British Beekeepers’ Association (BBKA).

Tim Lovett, President of the BBKA, said: ”This generous contribution from The Co-operative for bee health research shows how a combination of public and industry funding might begin to solve the problems facing bees and beekeepers.

“Coming as it does on top of the recently announced increase in bee health funding from the Government it will allow a greater range of work to be undertaken into reversing the reduction in honey bee numbers.

“Bees perform a vital role in the pollination of crops and biodiversity in the UK and every effort needs to be made to ensure that these vital insects are not lost from our overall eco system.

“The BBKA is pleased to see that its sustained campaign to increase funding for bee health research has been recognised by the Government and a major UK retailer and that nearly £4.5 million has been allocated for much needed research in the last week.

“The overwhelming support of the public for bees was clearly demonstrated during 2008 when over 140,000 people signed a BBKA petition to increase this research funding from Government.”

Ends

Bob and Marys Bees-2
Photograph by Bromley beekeepers Bob and Mary.

For further information contact:
Christine Gray, BBKA Press Officer 07891 000207/01462450707 christine.m.gray @ btinternet.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
The BBKA, a charity set up in 1874, supports and promotes bees and beekeeping and educates the public of the importance of bees in the environment. Membership through its 60 affiliated associations has increased by 20 per cent over the last 18 months to over 12,500 members. The BBKA survey of members showed that bee numbers declined by 30% during winter 2007/8.

BBKA Welcomes £150,000 Donation for Bee Health Research Funding (31 KB)
Download a PDF version of the press release dated 28/01/09 - BBKA Welcomes £150,000 Donation for Bee Health Research Funding.

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