Bee Disease Ordinance (Germany)
Lexikon
The Bee Disease Ordinance is the central German regulation for protecting bee stocks from notifiable diseases.
The Bee Disease Ordinance is the central German regulation for protecting bee stocks from notifiable diseases. It lays down protective measures against American foulbrood, acarine disease, varroosis, infestation with the small hive beetle, and infestation with Tropilaelaps mites.
For everyday beekeeping, four points are especially important. Section 1a obliges anyone who wants to keep bees to notify the competent authority no later than when they start. Section 5 requires a certificate from the official veterinarian confirming freedom from American foulbrood when colonies are moved into the district of another authority. Section 5a stipulates that a clearly visible sign with name, address, and number of colonies must be placed at the apiary. Section 15 obliges the owner to treat all colonies in an apiary against varroosis every year.
In the event of an 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 when the disease has been eradicated.
The ordinance applies only in Germany. Austria and Switzerland have their own sets of rules that are similar in structure, with deadlines, radii, and reporting channels that differ in part.