Review of honey bee disease control policy
Purpose of the Disease Control Policy Review
Fera is currently reviewing the policies in place to address key pests and disease risks of honey bees and associated surveillance and implementation programme. The review will consider and update whether, why and how government should respond to honey bee pest and disease risks. In developing the optimum policies for the future, the review will identify resource requirements and how they will be used in the most effective way against these risks. The review is necessary as Fera has an outstanding commitment, set out in Defra's 2008 and the 2010 business cases to review the policies for the future.
The government's current response to honey bee pest and disease risks includes a package of measures - prevention and control of outbreaks of statutory diseases, contingency planning, exercises and surveillance for exotic threats, checks on imports, training and advice to beekeepers, Healthy Bees Plan, and support for research in support of policy development.
The policy review will consider the following;
- New data from the Random Apiary Survey (RAS) as well as inspection data and other available information
- Possible EU developments on honey bee health including the current review of animal health legislation and their impact on policy and delivery in England and Wales and the Commission's increased interest in honey bee health
- Regulatory and non-regulatory interventions to ensure that pest and disease risks are minimised; this will cover the current range of interventions, impact and costs as well as options for improving and/or expanding interventions
- The policy review will set out policy goals for pest and disease threats - short, medium, longer term; package of response measures to achieve policy goals; surveillance required in support of policy goals; resources required for implementation; costs and benefits to government and society
- The Review Team will develop recommendations which will be considered by Defra and Welsh Assembly Government (as the review covers England and Wales) who will make decisions on future policy and implementation
Timings for the review
The review commenced in July 2011 and will take approximately 12 months to conclude, allowing time to consider emerging results from the RAS and to revisit interim recommendations as required, plus time to consider the package of response measures as a whole to ensure it is coherent, effective and value for money.
Who's involved in the review and how can I get involved?
Representatives from the National Bee Unit, Fera Bee Health Policy, bee farmers and amateur beekeepers from England and Wales are involved, an independent scientist, an economist and a veterinary expert to challenge assumptions, analysis and proposals. Once we have agreed a set of recommendations we will consult more widely. This is likely to include a stakeholder workshop which is anticipated to be held during spring 2012. We will post further details of this closer to the time.