SRUC | Responsible beekeeping

BeeBase

BeeBase is the Animal and Plant Health Agency's (APHA) National Bee Unit website. It is designed for beekeepers and supports Defra, Welsh Government and Scotland's Bee Health Programmes.

Registering and keeping your details up to date on BeeBase is one of the most important ways you can help tackle pests and diseases. This will allow Bee Health Inspectors to contact you if you are potentially at risk from an outbreak in your locality.

It is important to sign up to BeeBase as if there is a notifiable disease within 3km of your apiary you will be informed. It also provides a wealth of free information for beekeepers.

Go to BeeBase

Reportable & notifiable diseases

There are a number of bee pests and diseases in the UK that are reportable or notafiable If you suspect they are present within your colonies you should tell the National Bee Unit (NBU) or your local bee inspector immediately. Not only is it the responsible thing to do, failure to do so is an offence.

In Scotland, Varroa is reportable. You must report any suspected presence of Varroa in your apiary.

As a responsible beekeeper, you should also report the following notifiable honey bee diseases, pests, and invasive species:

American foulbrood
European foulbrood
Small hive beetle
Tropilaelaps mite
Yellow-Legged Hornet

For more information on these diseases and pests, including how to report them, go to our honey bee pests, diseases, and disorders page.

Honey bee pests, diseases, and disorders

Learn about pests, diseases, and disorders affecting honey bees and what you can do to help.

Beekeeping advice

Discover a wealth of beekeeping advice for both new and experienced beekeepers in the UK.

Beekeeping events

Learn about and take part in beekeeping talks, conferences, and events.

Beekeeping education library

Stay up to date with beekeeping research and publications.

Connect with other beekeepers

Learn about and connect with beekeepers and beekeeping partnerships across the UK.

Study With Us

With hundreds of courses across more than 20 disciplines, we provide the skills, experience and confidence you need to create a successful career.

Learn more

Business Services

Our business services work across food supply chains and the natural economy to help clients rise to the challenge of climate change and scientific and technological transformation.

Learn more