National Bee Unit facts for kids
| Established | 1950s |
|---|---|
| Head | Mike Brown |
| Faculty | FERA |
| Staff | 70+ |
| Location |
Sand Hutton
,
North Yorkshire
,
UK
|
| Website | BeeBase |
The National Bee Unit (often called NBU) helps keep bees healthy in England and Wales. It runs special programmes to protect honey bees. The NBU has about 60 Bee Inspectors who work in the field. They also have staff based in Sand Hutton, North Yorkshire.
Contents
The NBU's Journey: A Look Back
The National Bee Unit has changed names and homes over the years.
Early Days of Bee Health
In the 1950s, looking after bee health was part of the National Agricultural Advisory Service. This group had offices in Harpenden and Trawsgoed. These two offices joined together in 1979. They formed the National Beekeeping Unit in Luddington, Warwickshire.
Moving and Growing
The National Beekeeping Unit became part of the Central Science Laboratory in 1991. Then, in 1996, it moved to Sand Hutton, North Yorkshire. At this time, its name changed to the National Bee Unit.
Becoming Part of Larger Agencies
In 2009, the Central Science Laboratory joined with other UK government groups. They formed The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA). FERA's goal was to help create a way to produce food that lasts a long time and to protect nature.
On April 1, 2014, the National Bee Unit became part of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). APHA is a government agency that works for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). This move helped the NBU continue its important work.
What the National Bee Unit Does
The NBU works for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the Welsh Government. It helps protect bees in England and Wales. It does not cover Scotland or Northern Ireland.
Research and Advice for Beekeepers
The NBU does a lot of research to understand bee health better. This research helps them give good advice to beekeepers. It also helps government groups make rules about bees.
BeeBase: An Online Tool
The NBU also runs a website called BeeBase. This website is a special tool. It helps track and control serious pests and diseases that affect honey bees. This way, beekeepers can get information and help keep their bees safe.
Why the National Bee Unit is Important
The main job of the National Bee Unit is to protect the honey bee. Honey bees are super important! They are essential pollinators. This means they help many crops and wild plants grow by moving pollen. The NBU supports beekeepers in several ways:
- Controlling Bee Diseases: They work to control serious pests and diseases that are common in bees. This helps reduce the harm these problems cause to bees and the environment.
- Teaching Beekeepers: They teach beekeepers how to spot and control pests themselves. This helps beekeepers become better at looking after their bees.
- Stopping New Threats: They work to prevent new, dangerous pests and diseases from coming into the country. If a new problem does arrive, they have plans to deal with it quickly.
See also
- Veterinary Medicines Directorate
- Beekeeping in the United Kingdom
