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To: Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP

Stop the Small Hive Beetle spreading to Britain

The Small hive beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, is an invasive species originating from Africa which has proved to cause the death of thousands of bees in the USA and Australia. The SHB has been made notifiable within the European Community (Commission Decision 2003/881/EC) There is a current outbreak of the beetle in Italy due to the import of infected bees. Our government must impose an immediate import ban on bees from Italy in order to protect the bees in Britain until the outbreak in Italy can be erradicated

Why is this important?

In the UK about 70 crops are dependent on, or benefit from, visits from bees. In addition, bees pollinate the flowers of many plants which become part of the feed of farm animals. The economic value of honey bees and bumble bees as pollinators of commercially grown insect pollinated crops in the UK has been estimated at over £200 million per year.

Bees are in danger of disappearing from our environment. Farming practices continue to disturb the natural habitats and forage of solitary and bumblebees at a rate which gives them little chance for re-establishment. The honey bee is already under attack from mites & diseases and it is only the treatment and care provided by beekeepers that is keeping colonies alive. Most wild honey bee colonies have died out .

There is no effective cure for small hive beetle other than the destruction of affected colonies.

Small hive beetle in the UK would be a disaster for our bees & once here would be very difficult to remove

Please Help

Category

Updates

2014-11-30 17:34:46 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2014-11-27 20:21:43 +0000

People are waking up to this threat
Please take time time to drop an email to your MP asking for a ban on Bee imports
http://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-your-mp/

In the bee Association world:
West Sussex BKA have tabled a proposition (number 2015/16) calling for the BBKA to urgently seek a ban on bee (and bee product) imports from Italy to try and prevent the arrival of SHB.
The BBKA Executive Committee is AGAINST this proposition.

If you're a member of BBKA ask your representative to vote FOR this proposition.

2014-11-21 11:18:06 +0000

500 signatures reached

2014-11-16 21:38:24 +0000

Hi
Thanks for signing the petition which is gaining ground. Hopefully by tomorrow we'll be over the 300 signatories. Please spread the word to as many people as you can.
Yesterday the Scottish Beekeepers Association passed a resolution :'The SBA urges that all possible measures are taken to prevent the introduction of small hive beetle into the UK. These should include a cessation of trade in live bees from the rest of Europe for 2015 until the true spread of the pest is better known.'

This is a fantastic boost in the hope for protection for all the UKs bees. Please take time to drop an
email to your local MP it only takes a minute to do. I am hopeful that many MPs will share our concern for our bumbles & honeybees
Anyway keep spreading the good word & eventually we'll reach a number which will be difficult for government to ignore. I am proud of all of the people who have taken time in their busy lives to spare a thought for the bees
Bill

2014-11-14 18:12:23 +0000

100 signatures reached

2014-11-14 14:29:24 +0000

50 signatures reached

2014-11-13 20:06:50 +0000

25 signatures reached

2014-11-13 15:40:18 +0000

10 signatures reached