30th September 2019

Update from the National Honey Monitoring Scheme

Dear Beekeepers,

On behalf of the National Honey Monitoring Scheme team at CEH (Centre for Ecology & Hydrology), I would like to say a big thank you to those who have returned honey samples to us. We have had over 500 back this year so far (see below), which is amazing!  I hope it has been a good season for all.


Table: Number of samples returned between March and September 2019; according to NUTS1 statistical regions and including Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

As we have had over 750 sample pack requests, I would again like to remind those of you who wish to participate this year to return your samples as soon as possible. Our cut-off date for 2019 is 30th November – any samples returned after the 30th will be archived only; no pollen analysis will be done.  Further, no new 2019 sample packs will be sent out after the 31st October 2019. Any requests will be kept on file and packs sent out next March, ready for NHMS 2020.

As you can imagine Ujala and I are busy in the lab processing your honey samples. In the next newsletter we will provide details of progress. However, I would like to say we are on track to provide results for the first 350 samples before the end of the year. Watch this space!

Best wishes,


Dr Anna Oliver
Molecular Biologist, NHMS