Gavin's idea is great.
Compulsory registration of course will be needed to make it work. Which means cost. No doubt beekeepers will pay...willingly.
And then there is the slight matter of enforcement and ensuring penalties for non observance and etc etc...
What about importing bees from England? I assume the rules will HAVE to treat those as if imports from abroad: to prevent backdoor importation.. Who is going to man/woman the border crossings?...(see N/S Ireland)