Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of the threat of the small hive beetle and the Asian hornet to the British bee population.

Defra’s Pest Risk Analysis for the small hive beetle, including an assessment of its potential impact, has been published and can be found at www.nationalbeeunit.com/downloadDocument.cfm?id=945. The species risk analysis for the Asian hornet is also available online at www.nonnativespecies.org/downloadDocument.cfm?id=643.

With the establishment of the Asian hornet in south-west France and its spread into northern France alongside the Channel, as well as the presence of the small hive beetle in southern Italy, the National Bee Unit has increased the number of risk based exotic pest inspections. It routinely provides advice and training to beekeepers to raise awareness of the threat and the need for vigilance.