Do you suffer from Honey Guilt?
Chad Cryer

Do you ever get that niggling doubt as you enter your apiary, a mildly disturbing feeling that returns to you in the early hours of the morning? This article attempts to shed some light on the origins of this particularly unpleasant disorder that is nationally affecting more and more bee-keepers.

It does seem rather unfair, that 50,000 worker bees spend all summer working to produce a necessary reserve to see them through the winter, until one day, we come along, dressed-up in a ridiculous outfit, puffing smoke everywhere, just to take the honey away without so much as a by-your-leave. Indeed, my wife believes strongly that producing honey is so fundamentally unjust that she will not have anything to do with my honey, as she considers it to be stolen produce.

Victorian diarists of that time record some bee-keepers displaying symptoms of honey guilt, such as sleeplessness, mild depression and in the worst cases, bed-wetting. Professor Swift of Melksham State University, Ohio explains, 'These effects can be easily relieved through leaving a greater proportion of honey in the hive, or in more serious cases, replacing honey in the hive from which it was originally taken. A similar yet not so pronounced disorder is seen in chicken farmers who regularly suffer from Poulter's Finger, brought on by the guilt felt after taking eggs from hens.

At a recent debate looking into the ethics of bee-keeping Dr. Tilley, speaking on a panel promoting bee-keeping, conceded, '....it is theft, there' s no two ways about it …deep down in our psyche we know it is wrong and some individuals are reacting to this feeling. I must admit, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little uneasy about this practice.' However, he went on to add that he allays his own guilt by saying thank you as he leaves his apiary .
Meanwhile, plans are afoot to introduce Fair Trade honey, a movement aimed at getting a better deal for bees, urging international governments to persuade bee-keepers across the globe to leave a minimum of 50% honey in the hive as a gesture of benevolence towards the bees. It is important to remember that if you do think you are suffering from honey
guilt, that you are not alone and that there are others out there that feel just like you. Anyone who is worried about themselves or a friend or relative, can call me at any time and depending on the response, we may be able to set up a support group or involve trained counsellors.