Redefining Beekeeping for the 21st Century
Who We Are
Sustainable Honey Bees CIC is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2024 to lead a fundamental shift in beekeeping practice, philosophy, and purpose.
We support a new approach to beekeeping – one that respects the honey bee as a sentient superorganism, values genetic integrity and local adaptation, and works with nature rather than against it.
Our work is rooted in ecological principles and ethical responsibility. We believe that sustainable beekeeping is essential not only for the future of honey bees, but for the health of ecosystems, food systems, and rural livelihoods across the UK.
We are the driving force behind the Sustainable Beekeeping Network – a growing platform for collaboration, learning, and change.
Our Purpose
Mainstream conventional beekeeping is failing. It relies on high intervention, chemical inputs, routine imports, and intensive management systems that undermine bee health and genetic stability.
We exist to:
- Promote a different beekeeping philosophy – one rooted in ecology, resilience, and ethical practice
- Help build genetically stable, locally adapted populations of honey bees (Apis mellifera mellifera)
- Reduce dependence on imported stock and unsustainable interventions
- Support commercial and amateur beekeepers in transitioning to sustainable systems
- Encourage land and environmental practices that allow bees and biodiversity to thrive
- Act as a catalyst for change across the beekeeping sector
Our Philosophy
We see sustainable beekeeping not as a fixed set of rules, but as a flexible framework for reversing the damage caused by conventional practices.
That damage includes:
- Genetic degradation through uncontrolled imports and hybridisation
- Poor environments caused by monoculture, pesticide use, and forage scarcity
- Disempowering beekeeping practices that reduce colony resilience
Instead, we champion:
- Bee-centred, ecologically informed husbandry
- The welfare of the colony as a superorganism
- An end to the routine use of prophylactic treatments and artificial feeding
- A return to regional, seasonally adapted bee populations
- Ethical honey markets and transparency in bee breeding
Our Approach
Our programmes and partnerships focus on three interlinked areas:
Genetics
- Promoting locally adapted, resilient strains of Apis mellifera mellifera
- Supporting community-based breeding and rearing initiatives
- Reducing and phasing out imports
Environment
- Encouraging pollinator-rich, pesticide-free landscapes
- Supporting forage restoration and sustainable land management
- Advocating for nature-friendly farming and policy change
Management
- Promoting sustainable, low-intervention beekeeping practices
- Supporting education, mentoring, and transition pathways
- Collaborating with commercial beekeepers and innovators
How We Work
We are:
- A Community Interest Company (CIC) – values-driven and not for profit
- Independent, but collaborative – we work with those who share our philosophy
- Campaigning for change – at grassroots and policy level
- Evidence-informed – guided by science and practical experience
We are not here to maintain the status quo. We are here to build the alternative – and support others to do the same.
The Time Is Now
The problems are growing – but so is the interest in change.
More beekeepers than ever are questioning mainstream practices. Conservationists and land managers are looking for solutions. Consumers want to know where their honey comes from. The opportunity for transformation is real.
Sustainable Honey Bees CIC exists to lead, support, and connect that movement.
Let’s reimagine beekeeping. Let’s do it sustainably. And let’s do it together.