Beekeeper stung by post-Brexit ban – and threat to burn 15m bees

Patrick Murfet says he tried to import bees via Northern Ireland but was told they would be destroyed

A beekeeper trying to bring 15 million bees into the UK says he has been told they may be seized and burned because of post-Brexit laws.

Patrick Murfet wants to import the baby Italian bees for his Kent business and to help farmers pollinate valuable crops. But new laws that came into effect after the UK left the single market mean bringing bees into the country is banned.