The beekeepers on the Isle of Man have done some work to protect their stock from the risks of imports.
The European Union has declared the Isle of Man officially free of the bee pest Varroa – an announcement that provides an important economic and environmental boost.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) has worked with beekeepers to gain the disease-free status.
A poster campaign will now be launched to raise public awareness of the status and ensure it is protected.
The Island has more than 800 beehives and aparies. While the importation of bees has long been prohibited, formal recognition that bees are free of disease is important for exports to the UK and Europe.
http://nihbs.org/protected-status-for-manx-bees/