AbstractThe Central Science Laboratory (CSL) National Bee Unit (NBU) has been responsible for maintaining the Integrated Bee Health Programme in England and Wales since the early 1990s. The role of the Bee Health Programme is to protect the honey bee, a major pollinator of agricultural and horticultural crops and wild flora, and to provide up‐to‐date technical support to beekeepers. The Bee Health Programme is funded in England by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and in Wales by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). The work includes inspection of honey bee colonies, disease and pest diagnosis, development of contingency plans for emerging threats, minimising the risk of introduction of potentially serious exotic pests and diseases through importation by import risk analysis and related extension work and consultancy services to both government and industry. There is also an underpinning programme of research and development. © Crown copyright 2007. Reproduced with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.