SICAMM statement of support

This Statement seeks to encourage all beekeepers in Northern Ireland to sign this petition calling on the UK government to close the loophole that currently allows unregulated imports of honey bees into the UK via NI.

SICAMM is an International Federation whose primary aims are the conservation, protection and promotion of the European Dark Honey Bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) and the promotion and protection of all honey bees in their natural range. We represent a significant number of National honey bee associations and comprise a Main Board, a Scientific Board, a number of working teams and individual members.

The facts are these: “There was no significant history of queen imports into Northern Ireland prior to Brexit”

· 8,000 queens were imported into Northern Ireland in 2021

· By 2024, that figure had jumped to 22,000 queens.

· In addition, over 1,000 packages of bees (not just individual queens) were imported into Northern Ireland in 2021 and re-exported to Britain. 

The genetic integrity of native honey bees, wherever they exist in their natural range, should never be compromised, and there is currently a significant threat from Small hive beetle and Tropilaelaps. Given that there are no honey bee inspectors on the island of Ireland at this time it is crucial to do everything one can to protect viable biosecurity measures. So, please, sign the petition to close this biosecurity loophole.

 Sign and share the petition here: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/726878

More information, including FAQs can be found on the B4 Project

Website: https://www.b4project.co.uk/post/petition

"signed for the Sicamm Main Board and on behalf of the Sicamm Member AssociationsJohn GreenawayPresident of Sicammj.greenaway@sicamm.org