To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps (a) to promote beekeeping and (b) encourage existing beekeepers to remain in the sector; and if he will make a statement. (262294)

The National Bee Unit (NBU) provides a free comprehensive training and education programme for all beekeepers to enable them to develop their skills and become more self-reliant in combating disease problems through improved bee husbandry. In 2008, beekeepers in England benefited from nearly 23,000 colony inspections and an extensive programme of training, including over 800 technical events to date, delivered by the NBU to help improve disease control through good apiary management. Implementation of ‘Healthy Bees’, a 10-year plan to protect and improve the health of honey bees in England and Wales, will help beekeepers develop their skills and thus continue beekeeping.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many active beekeepers were registered on the National Bee Unit database at the latest date for which figures are available. (263073)

[holding answer 12 March 2009]: As of 10 March 2009, there were 17,423 active beekeepers registered on the National Bee Unit’s Beebase database.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently announced additional funding of £4.3 million for bee health which includes supporting the implementation of the initial phase of a 10-year plan to improve and protect the health of honey bees in England and Wales. One aim is to gain a more accurate picture of the numbers and distribution of beekeepers and the status of the health of their colonies and increase significantly the proportion of beekeepers registered on Beebase.

The additional funding allocation also includes £0.4 million per annum for five years which will be contributed to a wider research programme on pollinator decline.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of beekeepers. (263074)

[holding answer 12 March 2009]: An economic evaluation of bee health carried out by ADAS Consulting Ltd. in 2001 estimated that there were approximately 33,000 beekeepers and 230,000 colonies of bees in England. The Secretary of State recently announced additional funding of £4.3 million for bee health which includes supporting the implementation of the initial phase of a 10-year plan to improve and protect the health of honey bees in England and Wales. One aim is to gain a more accurate picture of the numbers and distribution of beekeepers and the status of the health of their colonies.

The additional funding allocation also includes £0.4 million per annum for five years which will be contributed to a wider research programme on pollinator decline.