Bee Disease Ordinance (Germany)
Lexikon
The Bee Disease Ordinance is the central German regulation for protecting bee populations from disease.
The Bee Disease Ordinance is the central German regulation for protecting bee populations from disease. It governs protective measures against American foulbrood, the mite disease (Acarapisosis), varroosis, infestation with the small hive beetle, and infestation with Tropilaelaps mites.
For everyday practice, four points are especially important. Section 1a obliges anyone wishing to keep bees to report this to the responsible authority no later than when the activity begins. Section 5 requires an official veterinary certificate of freedom from American foulbrood when moving colonies into another authority's district. Section 5a requires a clearly visible sign with name, address and number of colonies to be attached at the apiary. Section 15 obliges the owner to treat all colonies at a site against varroosis every year.
In the event of a disease outbreak, the provisions on American foulbrood apply. The authority declares the area within a radius of at least one kilometer around the affected apiary a restricted zone, prohibits the movement of bees and equipment there, and lifts the measures only once the disease has been eradicated.
The ordinance applies only in Germany. Austria and Switzerland have their own, similarly structured regulations, with some differing deadlines, radii and reporting channels.