The Welsh Beekeepers’ Association (WBKA) is the national support organisation for beekeepers in Wales. It is a registered charity (number 509929) managed by a board of trustees supported by various officers, all of whom are volunteers.
Founded in 1943, WBKA is the umbrella organisation for 19 local associations across Wales. Representatives of these 19 associations, and specialist members, form the WBKA Council which meets three times a year.
The WBKA works to support its member associations, specialist and individual members by:
developing co-operation amongst beekeepers and other bodies, including Welsh Government and other national associations and bodies
improving the standard of bee husbandry by supporting the beekeeping education system in the UK.
We hope our website gives you an insight into the ways in which we support the objects of the WBKA as set out in our Constitution – the encouragement, improvement, advancement and promotion of beekeeping to provide a benefit to the public and the environment throughout Wales.
Tropilaelaps are increasing and expanding at a great rate. In 2025 Maggie spent time in Georgia, working with beekeepers who were dealing with it for the first time. At the point of arrival, colonies that started with very low levels of infestation built up to damaging levels within a matter of months. Now in 2026, Maggie is back in Georgia to deal with Tropilaelaps expansion. In one season, Tropilaelaps spread from the Northwest of Georgia across the country to the southern and eastern boarders. Swarming, a natural reset for Varroa, doesn’t reduce the problem as Tropilaelaps can leave with swarms and successfully establish in new colonies.
Dr. Maggie Gill’s journey began with a deep-rooted passion for natural science and the environment. She holds a BSc Honours in Natural Science and an MSc in Entomology, and has worked extensively with bees across Europe, North America, and Asia. Her experience spans both practical beekeeping and high-level policy research, making her a rare bridge between field-based knowledge and government science.
