Beekeepers Legals
Your legal responsibilities as a beekeeper
Earlier generations of Island beekeepers have fought hard to protect our bee colonies from activities on the adjacent islands and in the rest of the world. The Bees Act of 1989 led to introduction of the ‘Bee Diseases and Pest Control (Isle of Man) Order 2008’ and further protection measures came with the EU Council Decision 2015/266 which accepted the Isle of Man as free of Varroa and permits us to prohibit the importation of bees and any pre-used beekeeping equipment. That includes clothing and means from everywhere including the UK.
These regulations were hard won and now as an Island beekeeper you must support the legislation by registering your holdings, maintaining the details with DEFA, keeping records, inspecting the hives regularly for pests and diseases and reporting any instances to DEFA.
Since we cannot import bees to make up losses, it is vital that we practice artificial swarm control and if they do swarm we have a robust collection service. Contact the Federation Secretary or your local Association if you need a new queen or more bees. There should be no need to even think about importing bees.
If Varroa arrives we shall all have it within the year.
Several visiting UK experts have commented that IOM beekeepers have become increasingly blasé about pests and diseases as they have no direct experience. You need to be aware of the threats and be prepared to report to DEFA without delay.
The importation of bees or second hand beekeeping equipment (including clothing) is prohibited by law with a fine of £10,000.
The main suppliers of bees have been informed of the restriction. There is a panel in the BBKA classified ads page and posters at the airport and ferry terminal. Perhaps the biggest risk is beekeepers relocating here without realising the law is different. Keep your ears pinned for incoming illicit colonies.
Register your holding
By law, all apiaries have to be registered with the government. Contact details of the owners, the exact location with a detailed map and the number of hives present are kept in the record. Go to gov.im and search ‘bees’ to find the registration form
This system ensures that colonies can be inspected without delay should any problems be found in the neighbourhood. The details of the holdings are not in the public domain. The holding will be given a number as UK 019 (for the Isle of Man)/999. This number must be quoted to other beekeepers removing bees or nuclei from the holding.
Your registration may include several different locations. Changes in holdings at those locations must be kept in your own records and made available to the Bee Inspector on request. DEFA must be informed if you subsequently keep bees at another location.
Isle of Man honeybee related legislation
Register your Bees
BBKA legislation advice
Beekeeping Legislation (BBKA) – includes info about honey regulations and labelling requirements
