Message From Scottish Bee Health Inspectorate
- Scotland’s first minister called on Monday night for an effective “lock down” in order to flatten the curve of Covid-19 spread and to protect the NHS. Full advice on guidance can be found on the Scottish Government website https://www.gov.scot/
- At the Scottish Bee Health Inspectorate, we are working hard in order to ensure that we continue to provide the support required to the Scottish beekeeping community. This is a very fast-moving situation and we plead you to continue to monitor advice. At the forefront of our thoughts is the health and well-being of our inspectors and colleague beekeepers across Scotland.
- With the current measures and risks to public health, we regret to announce that our popular bee health awareness days, talks, education program and any other engagement activities carried out by the Scottish Bee Health Inspectorate are cancelled until further notice.
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Bee Health Inspections are considered essential activity within Scottish Government; however, we have uncertainty about what we will be able to deliver based on restrictions and health advice for our bee inspectors and beekeepers. It is therefore more important than ever that the beekeeping community, both hobbyist and commercials, take responsibility for the health of their bees by ensuring good management and bio-security practices.
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Any suspicions of notifiable diseases or pests must continue to be reported on the usual manner through the bees_mailbox@gov.scot
- We would like to suggest to local beekeeping associations that they consider how they can support those confined or unable to attend their bees at this difficult time for all of us.
- Scottish Government is working with England and Wales in producing guidance and advice on Covid-19 impact on beekeeping. This will be published in the next coming days.