Newbattle Beekeepers Association

Winter Loss Survey Closing Soon Thank you so much to everyone who has already completed this year's winter loss survey. The online survey closes at 11pm this Saturday (28th June), so there's just a little time left to share your winter data. The responses provide a valuable picture of beekeeping in Scotland, with a strong focus on colony losses and colony management practice. Data from this survey will also contribute, in anonymised form, to our annual data return to the COLOSS group's international database used to study colony losses and potential risk factors for colony loss. This provides valuable information on colony losses in many different countries. We are asking for your participation in the survey online and we very much hope that you will take a few minutes to fill in the responses. There are a few questions for non-beekeepers and relatively new beekeepers, as well as more questions for established beekeepers in Scotland. If you have the relevant information to hand, the full survey (consisting of 15 short question groups) should take no more than about 10 to 15 minutes. It is possible to re-visit earlier questions if you need to do that, using the options at the foot of the page. A diagram which may be helpful in completing the colony loss questions can be found above or by clicking here. You will be given an opportunity to provide us with your contact details, but if you choose not to do so, there is no way in which the survey organisers can link you with the responses you have given. To participate, please click on the link below or the diagram above. https://outreach.mathstat.strath.ac.uk/outreach/buzz/index.php/679512?newtest=Y&lang=en Thank you very much for your time Alison Gray (Survey Organiser) Department of Mathematics and Statistics University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

To read the Queen Marking Blog Post click HERE

EFB 2024 SURVEY REPORT As part of the ongoing review of the current European foulbrood (EFB) control strategy in Scotland, the Bee Health Improvement Partnership (BHIP) agreed that the Honey Bee Health Team should conduct a nationwide survey in 2024 to assess the distribution of EFB across the country. Beekeepers registered on the national BeeBase database were randomly selected and invited to send in samples of adult bees for testing for the pathogen that causes EFB. The findings from this report will help shape the future of EFB disease control strategy in Scotland. We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who participated in the survey. You can access the full report here or via the News pages of the SBA website. Many thanks, Scottish Government’s Honey Bee Health Team

Having just finished extracting his Spring 2025 crop, He shares what he learned about processing honey.

Honey Processing 

click on the link to read his post

Read the Blog Post Here

The following is a notice issued by the Scottish Government Bee Health Team for beekeepers across Scotland.

We are contacting you to inform you of an outbreak of European Foulbrood (EFB) in honey bees in the Dumfries area. 

This outbreak concerns a number of hives and was first reported to the Scottish Government by the beekeeper, with the disease being confirmed by SASA on the 8th of May 2025. 

The beekeeper concerned has been informed of the official confirmation of the disease and are cooperating with the Scottish Government bee health inspectors. Infected colonies have been destroyed. Restrictions are in place in the apiaries, and we are working with the beekeeper to identify the possible source of this outbreak as well as any potential spread of disease.

BeeBase registered beekeepers within 3 km from the infected apiary will also be alerted of this outbreak via BeeBase.

What does this mean?

This is an informative announcement to raise awareness of key points. There are no subsequent restrictions in the area as a result of this finding other than those in place for the infected apiaries.

Next Steps

Please can beekeepers also be reminded of the importance of acquainting themselves with the symptoms of foulbrood diseases and how to conduct a full foulbrood inspection. All beekeepers should carry out at least one foulbrood inspection a year, but we recommend more frequent inspections for those in areas where disease has been confirmed.

If there is any suspicion of American foulbrood (AFB) or European Foulbrood (EFB), there is a legal requirement to notify the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team on bees_mailbox@gov.scot

Strict biosecurity is the best prevention to avoid infection, especially for beekeepers who are located within the outbreak area. Swarms of unknown origins should be isolated in a quarantine apiary, put onto fresh foundation and inspected for signs of disease at six weeks before they are brought into contact with other colonies.

Extreme care should be taken with old and second-hand equipment. Such equipment should be thoroughly cleansed and sterilised before re-utilising.

In addition, we would like to emphasise the importance of beekeepers registering and keeping the locations of their apiaries up to date in BeeBase. This will allow the Scottish Government Honey Bee Health Team to assess if there has been a risk of disease spreading to their bees. This is all the more important for those beekeepers who find themselves within the area where the outbreak has been confirmed.

Free registration to BeeBase is available at the National Bee Unit website. Registration on BeeBase also ensures that other beekeepers in an area are automatically alerted to disease outbreaks.

Additional information can be found on the following web pages:

·       Foulbrood – how to spot and report the disease

·       Honey bee health guidance

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

Bees_Mailbox@gov.scot

Thank You

Spread the Word

Share your knowledge with friends, neighbours, or kids about how we can help bees in your local area. The more people get involved in pollinator protection, the more our impact booms.

The schedule is now available for all the Scottish Honey Championship competition classes at this year’s Royal Highland Show

With everything from novice classes, honey, beeswax, crafts, baking, photography, to junior & schools’ classes there's a competition to suit everyone!
So why not give it a go, who knows you could add 'Award Winning' or 'Scottish Champion' to your products & promotions!
For the entry requirements & to register, please visit

RHS Honey Show - Enter

Closing date for online entries is 19th May

Important Update: Bee-Keeping Course Rescheduled

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the college have rescheduled their  bee-keeping course.

The new dates are Wednesday 3rd September to Wednesday 8th October (inclusive).

They sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and greatly appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your continued support, and they look forward to seeing you in September!

Book Your Place Here

Book your place https://shorturl.at/jYL5E

Read the False Economy Blog Post Here