More than 200 beekeepers gathered at Greenmount College for the Ulster Beekeepers Association conference.  Prominent speakers from Britain and Ireland emphasised the importance of honeybees.  Pollination in the UK is worth almost £200 million per year.  Minimising bee losses and maximising honey production were among the other topics presented.  "We were delighted to have Agriculture Minister, Michelle Gildernew open the conference,"

said Vanessa Drew, secretary of Dromore & District Beekeeping Association.  "It is good to know that the successes and problems of beekeeping are being kept to the forefront.  As a result of regular news reports, even non-beekeepers are aware of the mysterious Colony Collapse Disorder which is affecting bees.  We need the Government to put more money into the research of diseases affecting bees.  They are too valuable as pollinators to risk them disappearing altogether."

Vanessa had further success in the conference, winning the much coveted Best Association award for Dromore and District Beekeepers.