Scotland’s Honey Bee Health Strategy: implementation plan

Action (SMART)

Owner/lead

Priority

Progress/achievements

1.1: To develop a Scottish specific training package on Varroa.

SRUC (under the Varroa Working Group)

Medium-term

(by October 2024)

A Varroa Learning Package has been in development and nearing distribution. 

1.2: Create Scottish specific Varroa management guidance e.g. treatments most suitable for using in Scotland/ advice on timings for these treatments/ correct use, disposal, and efficacy of Varroa treatments.

SRUC (under the Varroa Working Group)

Medium-term

(by October 2024)

Lorraine Johnston (SRUC) via the Varroa Working Group is taking forward the development of a Varroa Learning Package. The package has had its final sign-off from the BHIP.  

1.3: Run a revalidation certification course for EFB control plan signatories every three years as minimum.

SG-Delivery

SASA

Next course 2026

Under the direction of the Delivery Lead for Bee Health, SASA and SRUC, the 2023 EFB certification course took place on 11 May in Perth where each business taking part in the plan attended the mandatory training event.

1.4: Delivery of a minimum of five presentations per year on notifiable diseases and pests, recognition, reporting and control to the Scottish Beekeeping Community.

SRUC

SASA

SG-Delivery

Annual target

Annex A of the BHIP Annual Report details presentations carried out during 2023.

1.5: Deliver a talk and practical demonstration on how to conduct a disease inspection to local beekeeping associations in areas where foulbrood disease found for the first time.

SG-Delivery

SRUC

Ongoing

Since 2023, this has become standard procedure.

1.6: To re-instate Bee Health Days.

SG-Policy

SG-Delivery

SASA

SRUC

BHIP reps

Achieved (will deliver one per year going forward)

Hobbyist Bee Health Day took place on 17 June 2023 in Coatbridge.

In 2024, the Bee Health Day took place on 6 July at the SRUC Aberdeen Campus.

1.7: Delivery of one Bee Health Day per year to the Scottish beekeeping community with practical and theory presentations on notifiable diseases, pests, Varroa control and other relevant Bee Health Issues.

SRUC

SASA 

SBA

SG-Delivery

BHIP reps

Annual target

2024: Aberdeen – 6 July 

2023: Coatbridge – 17 June

1.8: To trial a local association led Bee Health Day event with support from the SRUC Bee Health Advisor.

SRUC

Ongoing

The first association-led event was held on 17 August 2024 at Dunblane and Stirling Beekeepers Association. Initial talks taking place for a similar event at Kilbarchan and District Beekeepers Association.

Three other associations have expressed interest in holding an event and the SRUC Bee Health Advisor is developing a package of material to support this.

1.9:  Develop an engagement strategy which explores different ways education can be delivered using technology (e.g. as a way of providing online training material and presentations providing approved and trusted training to remote beekeeping communities and those who are not members of associations).

BHIP

Ongoing

The BHIP Annual Report provides an update on the progress made.

1.10: Promote different formats of ways to learn e.g.

• bite-sized online training courses, classroom based, hive side training and mentoring
• Pre-recorded demos/videos, live webinars
• Training at local associations (more tailored to specific environments)
• Partnership working with SBA on Magentrix
• Microsoft SWAY
• FAS TV

BHIP

Ongoing

SRUC have launched six podcasts. SRUC have done two practical hives side training events on How to do a disease inspection. 

The BHIP Annual Report provides more detail on the progress made.

1.11:  Standardisation of base level education programmes for the hobbyist and commercial sector (those businesses not in the EFB Control Plan and specifically those who are carrying out education) to cover topics such as biosecurity and disease management. This should be accompanied by a communication and engagement plan.

BHIP

Short-term (by December 2024)

SRUC has started creating a standardised government package relating to key messages in Scotland’s Honey Bee Health Strategy.

1.12:  Investigate development of educational training opportunities

• SQA Nat. 5/6 (delivers a practical science-based qualification, awareness of nature and understanding of food production).

No clear co-ordinator identified.

None

No further action.

1.13: Encourage promotion and engagement with NatureScot and their Pollinator Strategy through established programme of talks/introduction of blogs, magazine articles.

All

Ongoing

The BHIP Annual Report provides an update on the progress made.