Imports of Bees Are at "Serious Risk" of Becoming Infested by the Small Hive Beetle

British beekeepers are alarmed by the potential "imminent and severe danger" posed to honey bees due to businesses' plans of importing them from southern Italy via Northern Ireland. Rightfully, they are concerned that Small Hive Beetles (SHB) may be overlooked when dealing with bee packages and could cause extensive damage to colonies. This invasive species, native to Africa, has been present in southern Italy since 2014 and could spread even further if not contained.

According to Defra, the beetle can swiftly increase its population in large numbers within affected environments. This ravenous insect consumes larvae, honey, and pollen while also demolishing combs and causing fermentation of the honey, resulting in its spoilage.

Unimpeded, beetle infestations can be detrimental to a colony's future. Within two years of discovery in the United States alone, more than 20,000 colonies had been annihilated by them. Since Brexit has taken effect, however, bees from the EU are no longer able to be imported into Britain; previously upon arrival, packages of bees were inspected for health issues and then released into general circulation.

Although Northern Ireland remains in the EU, bees can still be imported to the region. Since it is part of the UK, they can also enter without restriction into that nation as well. However, due to rarely importing any bees before now there isn't a robust inspection service available yet according to British Beekeepers Association (BBKA).

In an official statement, a spokesperson declared that beekeeping associations throughout the UK are united in their consensus that importing bees from outside countries is contrary to best practices for safeguarding the environment.

We should be greatly concerned over the threat of a beekeeping business intending to bring bees from southern Italy, where an invasive species and parasite called Small Hive Beetle is already established. The inspections in place for these imports are feeble at best, so there exists a high possibility that this small beetle with clubbed antennae may make its way onto Great Britain's mainland undetected.

The repercussions of disregarding our import laws and their dire consequences for the bees cannot be ignored; this illegal behavior is a clear violation of trade regulations.