Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) Annual Report 2025

Executive summary

The 2025 beekeeping season started with a warm, dry spring. These conditions led to strong colony build up and little disease. Increased swarming activity, an increase in the presence of wasps and a hot summer put additional stress on large colonies resulting in more disease being found particularly as they moved to the heather. Additionally, the early shut down of queens brough the season to an end earlier than expected.

In 2025, Bee Health Inspectors continued to identify fewer colonies with European Foulbrood (EFB) compared to the record high numbers in 2023. However, the figures still indicate an upward trend in the presence of disease, indicating that EFB remains a significant issue. A review of the EFB disease management strategy will take place in 2026.

As of 21 November 2025, the National Bee Unit have received 544 credible Yellow-legged hornet sightings mainly in the areas of East Sussex and Kent. 161 confirmed nests were found in 2025 in England principally in the south of England, however there has been one located in Malton, North Yorkshire . There have also been confirmed nests found in Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and as recently as January 2026 in Wales

Throughout 2025, the BHIP remained committed to prioritising the education of the Scottish beekeeping community, particularly around the recognition and management of notifiable diseases and pests. The programme maintained strong engagement with beekeepers through its communication channels and developed a variety of resources to inform and educate on these important issues. The next section summarises the BHIP’s key achievements and progress made during the year.