Beekeeping rules and registration: BeeBase, notifiable diseases and neighbours

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Before you set up a hive, it is worth knowing what the law expects of you where you live. Rules on registration, disease reporting and where hives can be kept vary a great deal between countries, and in the US between states and even towns. This guide covers the UK in some detail and gives general pointers for everywhere else.

The UK: BeeBase

BeeBase is the website of the National Bee Unit (NBU), which runs the bee health programme for England and Wales on behalf of the governments, with Scotland and Northern Ireland also covered through their own arrangements.

Registration is voluntary: you are not legally required to register your bees.
It is strongly encouraged. Bee inspectors use it to know where colonies are, so they can warn you about disease outbreaks nearby and offer inspections.
Registered beekeepers can record their apiaries, see inspection records and receive risk alerts, such as warnings about Asian hornet sightings.
Registration is free.

Notifiable diseases and pests in the UK

Some bee diseases and pests are notifiable. If you suspect them, the law requires you to report it. Under the bee disease legislation for England, the notifiable diseases are:

American foulbrood (AFB)
European foulbrood (EFB)

And the notifiable pests are:

Small hive beetle
Tropilaelaps mites

If you suspect any of these, you must tell the NBU or your local bee inspector immediately; failing to do so is an offence. Once reported, restrictions apply to moving bees, hives and equipment from the apiary until an inspector has dealt with it. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have equivalent rules. Check the current list on the official bee health pages for your nation, as legislation can change. The Asian hornet, an invasive predator of honey bees, is not a bee disease but should also be reported: see the guide on pests and diseases in this room.

The US: it depends on the state

There is no single national registration system. Rules are set by each state, usually through its department of agriculture and a state apiarist.

Some states require every beekeeper, hobbyists included, to register their hives.
Others have voluntary registration for hobbyists and require it only for commercial operations.
Definitions of hobbyist vary, often by the number of hives.
Many states also regulate moving bees across state lines and have their own disease reporting rules.

On top of that, cities, counties and homeowners' associations may limit or ban beekeeping, cap the number of hives, or set distances from property lines. Check your state department of agriculture and your local council or city ordinances before you buy bees.

Elsewhere

Many countries have compulsory hive registration and a list of notifiable bee diseases. Look for your national agriculture or animal health authority, and ask your local beekeeping association, which will know the rules in practice.

Selling honey

If you plan to sell honey, even a few jars at the gate, food labelling and hygiene rules usually apply. These are separate from beekeeping rules. Check with your local food authority before you sell.

Neighbours

There is often no law about bees and neighbours beyond general nuisance law, but good relations are what keep a hive in a garden.

Tell neighbours before the bees arrive, and listen to any concerns, especially about allergies.
Position hives so the flight path rises over a fence or hedge rather than crossing someone's garden at head height.
Provide water so bees do not crowd a neighbour's pond or birdbath.
Manage swarming during inspections; a swarm hanging in next door's tree is the classic cause of complaints.
Choose calm-tempered bees and requeen a colony that becomes aggressive.
Avoid inspecting when neighbours are eating outside.
A jar of honey at harvest time helps.

Insurance

In the UK, many beekeepers get public liability insurance through association membership. Wherever you are, consider whether you need it, particularly in a shared or public space. Where are you keeping bees, and what rules did you have to follow? Share your experience, or ask about your area, in the comments.