‘Brexit rules mean 15m bees could be seized and burned’

Beekeeper blasts ‘stupid’ new import ban

A Canterbury beekeeper trying to bring 15 million bees into the UK says he has been told they may be seized and burned because of post-brexit laws. Patrick Murfet, who runs Bee Equipment at Highland Court Farm, wants to import the baby bees from Italy for his business and to help farmers.

For decades, they have been imported to replenish stocks, strengthen breeding lines and as early-awakening pollinators for fruit and honey farms in the UK. But new laws which came into effect after the UK left the single market mean bringing bee colonies into the country is banned. Since the end of the transition period, only queen bees can be imported. However, confusion over whether they can be brought in via Northern Ireland has caused a legal headache. In an effort to avoid the import ban and abide by the new laws, Mr Murfet has arranged for his usual importation of 15 million bees to arrive via Northern Ireland in April, but says he has been told they may be destroyed if he tries.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) says it is aware of the issue and is working with the devolved administrations to find a solution.

“It’s a monumentally stupid situation for a country supposed to be standing on its own two feet and exporting round the world,” said Mr Murfet, who has been working with bees for 20 years.

“I don’t care what they think it should say. At present the rules are clear that bees from Northern Ireland can enter the UK legally. If the law intended something else, they have not written it into legislation,” said Mr Murfet.

He says his enquiries into the reasoning behind the ban on imported bees have been met with a wall of silence, except an email reading: “Illegal imports will be sent back or destroyed, and enforcement action (criminal charges) will be brought against the importer.” Mr Murfet imports bees from Italy because the weather is warmer. He says he has already paid a deposit of about £20,000 and stands to lose almost £100,000 in costs alone if he cannot bring them into the country. He added: “So far Defra has overseen a policy whereby the UK is only one of three countries in Europe to see a decline in bee colonies. Fewer honeybees means less pollination, less top fruits and more imports.” What do you think? Email kentishgazette@thekmgroup. co.uk.