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

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action they are taking to protect the UK's bee population against the invasive and predatory Asian hornet (<i>Vespa velutina</i>).

A contingency plan outlining the Government’s response against the Asian hornet is in place. The emergency measures it sets out are tested twice a year by the National Bee Unit (NBU) ensuring that all field inspectors and support staff are trained in how to respond should an outbreak occur.

Following a confirmed sighting of the Asian hornet in Gloucestershire, the NBU enacted our established biosecurity protocols to confirm the scale of the outbreak and eradicate the pest. A single nest was located and destroyed. To date, no more live hornets have been seen in this area.

The outbreak follows on from a policy review in 2013 whereby the NBU increased the number of risk-based exotic pest inspections it carries out each year. These are targeted at early interception of non-native invasive species such as the Asian hornet. NBU Bee Inspectors also routinely provide advice and training to beekeepers to raise awareness of the threat and the need for vigilance.