NatBIP
Introduction
This initiative is available for all beekeepers, from the geographical area of England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, to participate in. It is designed to promote the improvement of local bees and the development of local ecotypes and to avoid further input from imported bees. It is recognised that…
Read MoreSection 1.2 – Aims, Imports & Bee Breeding
The Aims The aims of the Programme are to improve the quality of our honey bees and to provide an alternative to the importation of exotic sub-species, throughout the participating areas. It is believed that, through the selection of local and native honey bees, a hardy, docile and productive bee can result. This aim will…
Read MoreSelecting within a Strain
Selecting our Breeder Queens
NatBIP – June 2020
NatBIP – May 2020
BIBBA’s Proposal for a National Bee Improvement Programme In January BIBBA published a document outlining its proposal for a national bee improvement programme. This document is available to be viewed on the BIBBA website. It was written with a view to informing other beekeeping associations of our plans and inviting them to contribute to the…
Read MoreHoney Bee Improvement
If, as an alternative to the importation of queens, we established a National Bee Improvement Programme which selected and propagated the best local bees, a good reason could then be made for not using imported bees. Beekeepers would benefit in two ways, that is, in a reduction in the biosecurity risks associated with imports, and through the opportunity of supporting and participating in a project that could deliver a better-quality bee. Taking part in a scheme to sustainably improve our bees would provide a definite reason to refrain from the use of imported bees.
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