Beekeepers say no to EU imports

BREXIT restrictions on free trade between Britain and the EU are widely seen as negative.

But when it comes to honey bees, the chairman of one Westcountry beekeepers’ group is quite happy to see the ban on the importation of European honey bee colonies stay in place.

Stewart Gould of Somerset Beekeepers’ Association, said: “Locally bred bees are perfectly adapted for the conditions; imported bees carry the risk of pests and diseases and are genetically better suited to the country of origin.”

His comments follow media coverage of the new Brexit rules which have stopped the importation of honey bee colonies directly into the UK from the EU, although queen bees are still allowed.

HMRC is aware that there may be attempts to get around the import rules by using Northern Ireland as a back door but anti-avoidance measures are in place.

Mr Gould said the ban avoids the risk of bringing new problems to the UK’s bees. Bees in many areas of the country suffer from Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus which is associated with imports. “We are worried that the small hive beetle, which is in southern Italy, could come into the country and decimate our bees,” he added.

Richard Austin Somerset Bee Keeper Anne Ashford checks on her bees