Migratory Beekeeping
Lexikon
Migratory beekeeping refers to moving entire bee colonies to another location, usually to use a particular nectar flow such as rapeseed, forest, or linden blossom, or to provide pollination for orchards and special crops.
Migratory beekeeping refers to moving entire bee colonies to another location, usually to use a particular nectar flow such as rapeseed, forest, or linden blossom, or to provide pollination for orchards and special crops. The colonies are transported in closed or well-ventilated hives, preferably in the cool morning or evening hours or at night, so that the bees stay calm.
Anyone who migrates with bees in Germany must observe the requirements of the Bee Disease Ordinance. Under Section 5 of the ordinance, a colony may only be moved to a new location outside the previous district if there is a health certificate from the official veterinarian confirming freedom from American foulbrood and showing that the place of origin is not in a restricted zone. This certificate must not have been issued before 1 September of the previous year and must not be older than nine months. After arrival at the new location, the beekeeper must notify the competent authority immediately and present the valid health certificate.
In addition, Section 5a of the Bee Disease Ordinance stipulates that a clearly visible, durable sign with name, address, and number of colonies set up must be attached at the migratory apiary. The beekeeper is also obliged to tolerate inspections by the official veterinarian required under animal disease law. These rules serve above all to contain the spread of the notifiable American foulbrood through migration, since diseases could otherwise spread quickly over long distances when colonies are moved.