6 October 2025: Tropilaelaps mite restrictions: Ukraine
Updated 8 October 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/official-veterinary-surgeon-ovs-notes/6-october-2025-tropilaelaps-mite-restrictions-ukraine
OVS note number: 2025/65
Date: 6 October 2025
Purpose
To inform you that, due to limited surveillance for Tropilaelaps mite, safeguard measures have been published to temporarily restrict imports into Great Britain of the following commodities from Ukraine:
- honey bees
- unprocessed apiculture by-products
- used beekeeping equipment
- apiculture products in honeycomb intended for human consumption
Background
Tropilaelaps mite presents a significant biosecurity risk to Great Britain’s bee population.
Surveillance for Tropilaelaps mite in Ukraine is currently limited. Given the pest’s continued westward spread across continental Europe and the challenges associated with its detection, there are concerns that current surveillance efforts may not be sufficient to reliably identify its presence.
To mitigate the risk of incursion of Tropilaelaps mite, action has been taken to temporary suspend imports into Great Britain of the following commodities from Ukraine:
- honey bees
- unprocessed apiculture by-products
- used beekeeping equipment
- apiculture products in honeycomb intended for human consumption
These restrictions have been implemented through the following safeguard declarations, published on our topical issues page:
- Declaration of special measures: Ukraine Tropilaelaps mite (England)
- Declaration of special measures: Ukraine Tropilaelaps mite (Wales)
- Declaration of special measures: Ukraine Tropilaelaps mite (Scotland)
These safeguard measures were published on 6 October 2025 and will apply from 7 October 2025. They will apply until they are revoked or amended.
Contact point for enquiries
Email: imports@apha.gov.uk Imports and EU Trade Team