Raising concerns about Asian hornets with government

You may have seen an article on the BBKA website about a Defra minister praising beekeepers for raising the alarm about Asian hornets. And we want you to know that SBKA is among those ‘alarm-raising’ beekeepers!
Earlier in the year we wrote to Secretary of State Michael Gove flagging up our concerns about the National Bee Unit’s lack of statutory powers to go onto private land if Asian hornets are suspected and access is denied by the landowner.
Lord Gardiner, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State responsible for Rural Affairs and Biosecurity, replied and gave assurances that Natural England (which has this power) would accompany bee inspectors if such a circumstance arose.
Incidentally, we wrote to all Somerset’s MPs ahead of Asian Hornet week last month to seek their support. Later in the year we will write to them again with a round-up of our season.