ahere was a very warm welcome and encouraging response to SBKA’s address to the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee on Monday (June 25).
I was asked by campaigning charity Sense about Science to focus on how we use evidence in our everyday activities and talked about our links with Exeter University around Asian hornets.  
Speaking in response, Mary Greagh, Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, pledged her support in the fight against their establishment.
“Part of what I want the committee to be looking at is how we watch out for Asian hornets, that invasive species which is coming into our country and potentially wiping out populations of bees.”
And she admired the passion people have for bees and described them as ‘these magical creatures that wander around our gardens doing this incredibly important but mostly invisible work’.
The slots were only 60 seconds but that was plenty long enough to bring beekeepers and honeybees to the attention of some of the decision-makers in the government. And it has given us other ‘warm’ contacts to approach if we need to in the future.
Sense about Science say to watch out for an article about the event, including our (very small!) part in it, which should appear in The Guardian.
Anne Pike, SBKA Chairman

Today SBKA is giving evidence to the Houses of Commons Science & Technology Committee as part of campaigning charity Sense about Science’s Evidence Week which highlights the need for evidence-based policy.

For us this is about links with Exeter University, who are conducting research in Europe where the invasive and predatory Asian hornet has become widespread.

Based on their findings (and the advice of our bee inspectors), we are taking a ‘recognition and reporting’ approach. 

We are one of two dozen national and community organisations taking part in this  week of briefings and events.

With the row about the third runway at Heathrow today, and the fact that these slots are only last 60 seconds, don’t expect a mention on the news! 

But it is an honour for me to represent the county’s beekeepers and raise our concerns about Asian hornets to this influential Committee.

​Anne Pike, SBKA Chairman
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SBKA is actively considering how best to help members if they spot, or suspect, Asian hornets. Devon, Avon and Jersey presented action plans at the recent meeting of the South West Beekeepers' Forum which are available to read if you click here. We are keen to hear your thoughts - how would you like SBKA to support you? Please email your suggestions.

A few last minute tickets are still available for our Lecture Day on Saturday (Feb 17) - There's a great line-up of expert speakers and South West Regional Bee Inspector Simon Jones will give an update on Asian hornets. 
Speakers:
Bee farmer Ged Marshall – ‘Queen rearing’ and ‘A year in the life of a bee farmer’ Michael Keith-Lucas – Pollen in Forensic Science
Paulo Mielgo, Vita (Europe) Ltd - ‘Honey bee nutrition is not only sugar’
Pam Hunter C.Biol. F.S.Biol. FLS. MB t – ‘The evolution of plants & insects’

When: 9am – 5pm on Saturday, February 17
Where: Edgar Hall, 8 Cary Court, Somerset Business Park, Somerton TA11 6SB
Tickets cost £5 and include light refreshments but not lunch.
Contact Ken Tredgett: 01373 464736 tredg@talktalk.net
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​If you didn’t make it to the Asian hornet open meeting held in Devon last month, you may be interested to hear Martyn Hocking recount his experience of Asian hornets attacking his apiary in Woolacombe in the autumn. Martyn has some interesting observations to make about the actions he took, how he felt about identifying the hornets and working with the National Bee Unit, and suggests there are lessons we can all learn. The meeting was attended by 150 people from across Southern England - beekeepers, representatives of organisations with a special interest in the Asian hornet, university researchers and NBU officials.
This month, on Saturday, February 17, our regional bee inspector will be giving us an update at SBKA's annual lecture day. Tickets are still available!