Membership

Areas covered by the third party insurance provider through BBKA (up to £10 000 000 with a £500 excess payable under certain circumstances.)

Provision of publications, education and assessment programmes, telephone support and research on bee-keeping and related issues.

Promotion of bee-keeping and education of the public about bee-keeping and the importance of bees in the environment (at events, online and by members) and ordinary bee-keeping activities, manufacture & supply of primary hive products, including bee health advice.

They are also involved as the authority on honey bees, and accordingly are called upon to work in a wide variety of places, from schools to prisons, advise the public, move swarms and any other activities as required, including advising DEFRA and trapping, freezing and identification of Asian hornets.

BBKA will be present when the NBU are involved in destroying nests.

Bee Diseases Insurance

BDI is an organisation seperate to the BBKA, made up of Member Associations. The minimum payable by each Member Association to BDI Ltd, as a condition of Membership, is £2 per annum for each of its beekeeping members which insures 1-3 colonies.

BDI should not be confused with the insurance provided by the BBKA as part of its registered membership package.

BDI insurance becomes effective each year from the time that the member's association receives his or her membership subscription and any additional BDI premium is received. Premiums are paid in respect of the calendar year, 1st January to 31st December, irrespective of the date on which they are actually paid. However, cover will not commence until 40 days have elapsed from the payment of the premium, where such payment is made after the 31st March. This is known as the 40-day rule.

Beekeeping members can insure more colonies for an additional premium and you should consult your Association Treasurer, or the designated Association member who deals with BDI subscriptions to make any change.

Direct members of the BBKA wanting to increase their BDI insurance cover should contact: members@bbka.org.uk

To find out more about BDI Ltd, including premiums for additional colonies, please visit their website: Bee Diseases Insurance

BDI Insurance only covers England and Wales. (Scotland and Northern Ireland have differing levels of inspection, which are not under the juristiction of DEFRA)