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England's honeybee numbers boosted after mild winter England's honeybee numbers boosted after mild winter
(2 months later)
England's honeybees fared much better in this year's mild winter than in the bitterly cold conditions the previous year, an annual survey shows.England's honeybees fared much better in this year's mild winter than in the bitterly cold conditions the previous year, an annual survey shows.
Around one in 10 honeybee colonies were lost between the beginning Around one in 10 honeybee colonies were lost between the beginning of October 2013 and the end of March 2014, compared to a third of colonies which failed to survive in 2012-13, the British Beekeepers Association (BBKA) winter survival survey reveals.
of October 2013 and the end of March 2014, compared to a third of It is the best set of results since the survey was first conducted in 2007 and a turnaround in fortunes on the previous year, which saw the worst losses recorded by the poll. All regions in England saw much better survival rates this winter than last.
colonies which failed to survive in 2012-13, the British Beekeepers Less severe weather conditions helped more colonies to survive this year, the BBKA said, but warned that the loss of 9.6% of honeybee colonies across England was still too high.
Association (BBKA) winter survival survey reveals. Despite being helped by the mild weather this winter, honeybees still face a number of threats such as the parasitic mite Varroa and honeybee viruses that are associated with it, the BBKA said.
It is the best set of results since the survey was first conducted
in 2007 and a turnaround in fortunes on the previous year, which saw the
worst losses recorded by the poll. All regions in England saw much
better survival rates this winter than last.
Less severe weather conditions helped more colonies to survive this
year, the BBKA said, but warned that the loss of 9.6% of honeybee
colonies across England was still too high.
Despite being helped by the mild weather this winter, honeybees
still face a number of threats such as the parasitic mite Varroa and
honeybee viruses that are associated with it, the BBKA said.
Research is needed to find practical solutions to deal with Varroa, it urged.Research is needed to find practical solutions to deal with Varroa, it urged.
The availability of plants which provide food for bees also remains a problem, although it is hoped the government's national pollinator strategy will help with increasing forage.The availability of plants which provide food for bees also remains a problem, although it is hoped the government's national pollinator strategy will help with increasing forage.
Efforts are being made by local beekeeping associations to train, educate and improve beekeepers' skills, the association said.Efforts are being made by local beekeeping associations to train, educate and improve beekeepers' skills, the association said.
Dr David Aston, BBKA president, said: "The results from this year's Dr David Aston, BBKA president, said: "The results from this year's survey are encouraging, but must be seen in the context of longer term trends.
survey are encouraging, but must be seen in the context of longer term
trends.
"It is clear that beekeepers are doing their utmost to sustain and increase honeybee colonies through their skilled husbandry.""It is clear that beekeepers are doing their utmost to sustain and increase honeybee colonies through their skilled husbandry."
The survey conducted annually among the association's members The survey conducted annually among the association's members revealed the south-east had the highest losses, at 15%, while the lowest losses were recorded in the western region, at just under 7%.
revealed the south-east had the highest losses, at 15%, while the lowest The biggest improvement on the previous year was seen in the south-west, where more than half of honeybee colonies (53%) were lost in 2012-13, but less than 9% were lost this winter.
losses were recorded in the western region, at just under 7%.
The biggest improvement on the previous year was seen in the south-west, where more than half of honeybee colonies (53%) were lost in
2012-13, but less than 9% were lost this winter.