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<p>The Government recognises the essential role played by honey bees and wild pollinators
in our environment, acknowledging their contribution to crop pollination. Additionally,
pollinators play a vital role in supporting the natural ecosystem.</p><p> </p><p>Asian
hornets prey on honey bees and other pollinators so pose a significant threat to these
insects. To date rapid action has been taken in the UK to find and destroy Asian hornet
nests.</p><p> </p><p>In 2023 a total of 72 nests were located and destroyed, the majority
of these were located in the South-East (62). The National Bee Unit (NBU), part of
the Animal and Plant Health Agency, rapidly located and destroyed the nests so we
would expect any impacts on honey bee colonies and other pollinators to be small and
localised.</p><p> </p><p>From the analysis of nests found in 2023, a number of areas
were identified where there is a low risk that Asian hornet queens may have overwintered.
To address this, the NBU is carrying out spring trapping and working collaboratively
with stakeholders to monitor traps at locations across Kent, East Sussex, Devon and
North Yorkshire.</p><p> </p><p>The Government remains committed to taking swift and
effective contingency action against Asian hornet in 2024 thereby continuing to minimise
the impacts on honey bees and other pollinators.</p>
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