Scotland’s Honey Bee Health Strategy: implementation plan

Action (SMART)

Owner/lead

Priority

Progress/achievements

3.1: To complete a mapping exercise to identify current distribution of Varroa in Scotland identifying possible areas where Varroa is currently not present.

SASA

SG-Policy

Annually

The 2023/2024 Varroa map will be updated annually to take into account new reports from the beekeeping community. 

3.2: Maintain a proportional and expert Bee Health Team in Scotland able to deliver statutory Bee Health activities across Scotland.

SASA 

SG-Delivery

SG-Policy

SRUC

Ongoing

Work is ongoing to maintain a fully resourced team of bee inspectors, diagnosticians and policy personnel. 

3.3: Review current EFB Control plan measures on infected apiaries to reflect evolving knowledge on EFB spread and control.

SG-Policy

Longer-term

The BHIP met in February 2024 to discuss the effectiveness of the plan, future strategy and priorities. It was agreed the plan requires work to shape it more appropriately for the future. Any changes will be evidence based and pending the results of the survey mentioned below.

3.4: To ensure SASA are officially designated as a UK Official Laboratory for honey bee health and authorised to conduct analysis, tests and diagnosis for official controls and other official activities purposes.

SG-Policy

SASA

Achieved

Following a successful application by the Scottish Government, the UK Chief Veterinary Officer confirmed that with effect from 7 September 2023, SASA was officially designated as a UK Official Laboratory for honey bee health.

3.5 Use PCR test to carry out surveillance exercise across Scotland to identify the prevalence of subclinical EFB across Scottish apiaries. Produce report for publication. Proposals on application of PCR test to guide surveillance and support disease control strategy.

SASA 

Medium-term (winter 2024/25) 

EFB Scotland-wide survey started, and results will be available over winter 24/25. 

3.6:  Roll out an Annual Surveillance programme(s) (e.g. import/sentinel apiaries) potentially using self-inspections and posting of samples. This would complement the work of the bee inspectors who currently do inspections for the notifiable pest, Small Hive Beetle.

BHIP

Longer-term

None.

3.7:  Surveillance of emerging non-notifiable threats and viruses which have an impact on honey bee health such as Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus.

BHIP

Medium-term

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

3.8 Asian Hornet

(ensuring that a coordinated approach is taken with other Government departments and that additional resources are available if required).

SG-Policy

BHIP

Achieved

Scottish Government published its Asian hornet Contingency Plan in April 2024 to tackle any incidences of this invasive insect in Scotland.

3.9: Develop Contingency Plans for Small Hive Beetle and Tropilaelaps

(ensuring that a coordinated approach is taken with other Government departments and that additional resources are available if required).

SG-Policy

BHIP

Longer-term

None.

3.10 To discuss who should be responsible for swarm management control in order to reduce risk of disease transmission.

BHIP

Medium-term

SBA President to summarise in writing the issues raised by SBA members regarding swarm management control prior to next meeting in November 2024, where this will be a substantive discussion topic.  

3.11 To run a mock exercise in Autumn 2024, named Exercise Melliseus, to test the recently published Asian hornet Contingency Plan.

SG-Policy

SG-Delivery

Short-term (by December 2024)

Work has begun on developing the exercise.