Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) Annual Report 2024
This second annual report of the Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) provides an overview of its activities and progress during the second year of Scotland's second 10-year Honey Bee Health Strategy, which was published in 2022.
Science, Research and Development
SASA continued to work on development of a molecular test of adult bees for the bacteria which causes EFB. This was used in a limited capacity in 2024 to target inspection resources to those apiaries most at risk of developing EFB. Further development work to streamline the laboratory process is planned for 2025, and it is hoped this test may provide an additional tool in the future to aid in the management and control of EFB in Scotland.
Nation-wide survey to establish the distribution of EFB across Scotland
As part of the review of the current European foulbrood (EFB) control strategy in Scotland, the BHIP agreed that the Honey Bee Health Team should conduct a nation-wide survey in 2024 to establish the distribution of EFB across the country. Beekeepers registered on the national database, BeeBase, were randomly selected and invited to send samples of adult bees to be tested for the pathogen which causes EFB.
In total, 107 beekeepers out of 150 who originally agreed to take part sent in samples for analysis to the lab at SASA, which is a 71% return rate. A report will be published in early 2025 showing results, which will help shape the future EFB disease control strategy in Scotland. Our thanks to everyone who participated.
Analysis of the economic impact of European foulbrood (EFB)
As part of the work to inform the long-term EFB management approach and direction of the EFB Control Plan, Scottish Government has commissioned SRUC to undertake a review of previously commissioned analysis of EFB to help identify whether the control measures currently in place are viable.
The analysis will analyse the cost to the industry of shook swarming or destroying all the hives in infected apiaries as opposed to intervening only on clinically infected hives. To offer a producer-level perspective, this analysis will also highlight the cost disparities between hobbyist and commercial beekeeping operations. The results, alongside the other work being conducted around long-term EFB management, will help inform discussions at the BHIP around future regulations regarding disease control.
PhD Studentship investigating the risk of conflict between managed and wild pollinators under Scottish conditions
SASA have partnered with the University of Edinburgh to co-supervise this studentship. Representatives of the BHIP (SBA and BFA) have also supported the student by identifying suitable study sites and making contact with land managers. The student has completed their first fieldwork season despite poor weather, analysis and results are ongoing and field studies will continue into 2025-26.
SRUC investigation into histopathologic changes in honeybees (Apis mellifera) experimentally infected with Chronic Bee Paralysis Virus CBPV)
In 2023, the Bee Health Advisor started working with Peter Richard Rios from SRUC, Giles Budge from Newcastle University and Giovanna De Leva University of Naples Federico II on the histopathology of chronic bee paralysis in honey bees.
The research identified histopathologic changes visible at around 3 days post infection - coinciding with the appearance of the clinical signs of disease. Changes were observed in the central nervous system, as well as in other organs such as the flight muscles and intestinal cells.
Contact
Email: bees_mailbox@gov.scot