<<There are researchers who are valiantly trying to maintain preservation areas for pure Amm bee populations in Northern Europe, to which the
subspecies is well adapted.  But they are stymied by a few beekeepers who insist upon bringing in foreign queens to stock their apiary in the middle of a conservation area.>>

This matter is on my list of ethical issues.  Is it ethical for a beekeeper wilfully to undermine a breeding program by other beekeepers?  Sounds like a rhetorical question, eh?

Bob Darrell touched on this in his 18 Jan. 2019 post.  Bob said, “I have met five Beeks in the Cloughjordan group and several share an apiary but not their ideas of the best bees to buy.  Most subscribe to AMM as it is the Irish Native honeybee, while others prefer Buckfast….The Buckfast bees in Ireland likely start out pure but once the queen is superceded they become less gentle as do the AMM hives nearby that are open mated.  One member of the group increased the tension last summer by requeening with AML queens.”

The Aberdeen and District Beekeepers’ Association says, “It is important that you find out about other beekeepers who may have apiaries near you.  If they are established beekeepers engaged in a breeding programme, then it is better to consult them before buying your bees, rather than risk undermining their breeding programme.” (https://aberdeenbeekeepers.net/bees/) 

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