Norfolk Beekeepers' BBKA Campaign

BBKA campaign

In light of increasing threats to our honey bees from disease, BBKA has challenged the amount of money presently spent by DEFRA on research. At present, only £200,000 is spent on research despite honey bees contributing in the region of £165 million to farm gate prices through pollination. The research programme proposed by BBKA would cost in £8million over 5 years however, despite being on record as saying that the honey bee is in serious danger of becoming extinct within the next 10 years unless steps are taken to deal with the pests and diseases becoming increasingly prevalent, Lord Rooker refuses to increase the amount of funding available.

What can you do to help?

• Write to your MP expressing your concerns about the lack of funding in research for bee disease and demand that he/ she add their support to our campaign by signing the Early Day Motion 1520 Bee Health Research. (Ian Gibson MP has already signed the EDM)

• Get your friends and neighbours to write to their MPs.

• Enlist the support of your friends, family, neighbours and customers and ask them to sign the BBKA petition showing their support for the campaign to increase the funding allocated to research into bee disease.

Members of NBKA should forward completed sheets and copies of correspondence to/ from MPs to the Secretary who will send consolidated batches to Stoneleigh monthly.

Petitions are available for the public to sign at:

G F White, Red Lion Street, Aylsham

Bure Valley Farm Shop, Burgh Road, Aylsham

Barrat’s Butcher, Cromer Road, Hainford

Pensthorpe Visitors’ Centre

The Natural Food Store, St Nicholas Street, Diss

West Runton Post Office/ Spar Shop, West Runton

Wood Farm Asparagus, Hevingham Church on the A140

The Christmas Shop, Holt

We'll add to this as we get more outlets to carry the petition.

Links
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3796658.ece
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/farmingtoday/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7240456.stm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/article/2007/09/gm_bees.shtml