Written questions

Beekeeping: Farmers

Commons · Question 75549 · Tabled 5 Sep 2025 · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs · Official record

Answered 8 Oct 2025

Question

Asked by Edward Morello

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of providing subsidies to support farmers to (a) introduce and (b) maintain beekeeping.

Answer

Answered by Dame Angela Eagle, 8 Oct 2025

Figures from the annual hive count suggests that the number of beekeepers has remained relatively stable and is not declining. Defra supports beekeepers through the work of the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s National Bee Unit which operates our bee pest...