Apiculture F.A.Q.s

Mon, 2010/03/15 - 2:07am — admin
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BEEKEEPER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

APIARY INSPECTIONS

IMPORT AND BEE MOVEMENT REGULATIONS

BEEKEEPER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

BEEKEEPER CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

BEEKEEPER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

Do I have to register when keeping bees?

Yes, any person who keeps bees must be registered with the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands.

How do I register?

You may download the Apiary Registration Form from the Acts and Regulations section on the ministry's website or contact BCMAL:

BCMAL – Apiculture
1767 Angus Campbell Road
Abbotsford, BC V3G 2M3
Telephone: 604 556-3152
Fax: 604 556-3030



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APIARY INSPECTIONS

Who do I contact for an Apiary Inspection?

Please refer to the BCMAL apiculture staff listing on the ministry's website: http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/apiculture/staff.htm and request an apiary inspection.

Do I have to pay a service fee for the Apiary Inspection?

No, there is no fee.

Are there Apiary Inspection Services available in all parts of the province?

No. Apiary Inspectors are located in areas where most of the beekeepers and colonies are kept. Each Inspector is a part-time employee of the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. In areas where there are no inspectors, the local beekeeping community can request support for the installation of an inspector.

When I become aware that there is disease, must I contact BCMAL?

Yes. Most honeybee diseases spread rapidly and infect colonies of other beekeepers. It is in the interest and benefit of all beekeepers to protect their colonies from disease by contacting BCMAL.

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IMPORT AND BEE MOVEMENT REGULATIONS

Package bees can be imported from New Zealand and Australia, under federal import permits. At this time, there is a federal ban on the import of honeybees from the continental United States because of disease concerns. Honeybee queens can be imported from New Zealand, Australia and the United States, under federal import permits. For details about import conditions and fees, contact:

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 220, 4 Ave SE Calgary, AB T2G 4X3
Fax: 403 292-6629
Phone: 403 292-5828

Or check the CFIA website http://www.inspection.gc.ca/ (Imports/Automatic Reference Import System; type in 'bees’ under Find Commodity; then choose Honey bees-Packaged or Honey queen bees).

Do I need a permit to move bees?

Yes and No. The province has been divided into beekeeping regions. Movement of bees within a region does not require an inspection and permit. For colonies to be moved between regions, an inspection and permit are required. The issuance of a permit is based on the principle that the honeybee colonies do not pose an immediate health risk to the bee population of the region to which they are moved. This means that the colonies may not have to be totally free of disease, a condition almost impossible to meet. For details, please refer to the BC Policy on the Movement of Bees for more information.

Do I need a permit to move bees from outside the province?

Beekeepers from outside British Columbia must apply for an inspection from the jurisdiction in which they normally operate their colonies. A reciprocal agreement exists between British Columbia and other jurisdictions to carry out apiary inspections to meet import requirements. Non-resident beekeepers cannot move colonies into British Columbia without an Import Permit issued by BCMAL.

Must Non-Resident Beekeepers register?

Yes. All persons operating honeybee colonies in British Columbia must register their apiary locations before an Import Permit is issued.

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BEEKEEPER TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Where can I receive training in beekeeping management?

The BCMAL Apiculture Program has been offering introductory beekeeping courses in different locations for years. These courses are usually presented in the evening or on weekends, last for about 6 weeks and are mostly offered through local colleges. Enrollment fees are kept to a minimum. BCMAL and Simon Fraser University (SFU) also offer an advanced apiculture course every two or three years at the Burnaby Campus. For more information, please visit the Calendar of Events on this site or contact the BCMAL Office at 604 556-3152. Some other organizations and individuals may also offer beekeeping courses from time to time.

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BEEKEEPER CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

Is there a Beekeeper Club in my area?

There are clubs and associations throughout British Columbia. Their location and contacts are posted on the http://www.bcbeekeepers.com/ site. The list is also published in the BC Honey Producer Association's quarterly newsletter BeesCene. You can subscribe by contacting the editor at Telephone: 250 679-5362 or Fax: 250 679-5394.

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