Statement from DEFRA Bee Health Policy

Defra is very grateful to all the staff in the Animal and Plant Health Agency and in particular the National Bee Unit (NBU) who are working on the response to YLH. Beekeepers and Yellow-legged Asian Hornet Teams have also provided very valuable support. 

Defra continue to follow an eradication strategy by taking contingency action. Given the high number of nests, Defra have agreed that for the last 2 months of the 2025 season, NBU surveillance effort should focus on the response to YLH. Deploying inspectors who have skills in recognising and tracking YLHs will allow nests to be rapidly found and destroyed. With respect to the bee health programme, the NBU will respond to reports of suspect disease, deal with confirmed cases of disease, conduct import controls and checks and carry out surveillance for exotic pests. We are asking beekeepers to continue monitoring their colonies for pests and diseases. Further guidance can be found on the NBU Advisory leaflets page. Any beekeepers who think they have identified a suspect statutory pest or disease should contact the NBU, and, where possible, include photos of the suspect brood or pest.

If you are unable to get hold of your local inspector, please email