Bee organisations

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Defra's bee health programme is designed to control the spread of notifiable diseases and pests of honey bees and to identify and manage the risk associated with new pests and diseases that may be introduced into the UK, thus helping to maintain a healthy population of kept honey bees for the pollination of agricultural and horticultural crops and wild plants, and the production of honey and wax.
www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/growing/bees

The Food and Environment Research Agency (Fera)
Responsible for the Government's bee health policy in England and in particular, the implementation of the Healthy Bees Plan. Fera's National Bee Unit (NBU) delivers the bee health programme in England and in Wales (on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government).
www.fera.defra.gov.uk/plants/beeHealth

National Bee Unit (NBU)
The NBU provides an integrated programme of apiary inspections, diagnostics, research and development and training and advice which are provided by a team of bee scientists and experienced practical beekeepers. The NBU also provides specialist advice and technical consultancy services on bee health to other government departments, beekeepers and industry. For further details of the NBU's functions and activities download the NBU Brochure.
www.nationalbeeunit.com

International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations - Apimondia - Exists to promote scientific, ecological, social and economic apicultural development in all countries and the cooperation of beekeepers' associations, scientific bodies and of individuals involved in apiculture worldwide. Apimondia also aims to put into practice every initiative that can contribute to improving apiculture practice and to rendering the obtained products profitable. A major objective is to facilitate the exchange of information and discussions. This is done by organising congresses, conferences and seminars where beekeepers, scientist, honey-traders and legislators meet to listen discuss and learn from one another.
www.apimondia.org

Bee Instrumental Insemination Group
The aims of the Bee Instrumental Insemination Group are:
The promotion and development of Instrumental Insemination Techniques.
The conservation of races and strains of honey bees.
The improvement of strains to suit local conditions and enhance resistance to diseases and pests.
www.biig.co.uk

Central Association of Bee-Keepers
Registered educational charity whose objectives are to promote and further the craft of beekeeping. By organising lectures and producing publications, the association enables beekeepers, bee scientists and others interested in bees to keep in touch with the latest research and ideas about bees and related topics. Acting as a bridge between the beekeeper and the scientist.
www.cabk.org.uk

Bee Farmers' Association of the UK
Run by bee farmers for bee farmers. Represents the interests of the commercial and semi-commercial bee keepers of the UK.
www.beefarmers.co.uk

Bee Improvement & Bee Breeders' Association (BIBBA)
Membership of BIBBA is open to those who are interested in producing high quality native and near-native honey bees.
Publishes Bee Improvement magazine that is packed with information.
Holds conferences, sometimes in conjunction with other beekeeping organisations, where well known speakers talk on different aspects of beekeeping, with the emphasis on bee breeding and improvement.
Arranges events including lectures, field days, and workshops, which may cover such subjects as morphometric techniques, queen rearing, and colony behavioural characteristics.
Encourages groups of beekeepers to work together on bee selection and breeding in their own area.
www.bibba.com

International Bee Research Association (IBRA)
IBRA promotes the value of bees by providing information on bee science and beekeeping worldwide. A not-for-profit organisation founded in 1949.
www.ibra.org.uk