Licence

Import honey bees (Northern Ireland)

You must notify DARD if you import honeybees into Northern Ireland

Apply for this licence

on Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland

You must notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) if you import honeybees into Northern Ireland.

How to apply

Download the notification form from the DARD website. The form must arrive at DARD at least 1 working day before the arrival of the bees.

Conditions

You must have a health certificate from the bees’ country of origin. Each queen bee must be contained in a single cage and accompanied by no more than 20 attendant worker bees. You must keep records of where the imported queen bees, bee packages or hives are kept or sent.

You must keep the records and the health certificate for 3 years from the date of import and make them available for inspection.

Honey bees imported from approved non-EU countries must enter via approved border inspection posts for bees at either Heathrow or Gatwick airport in England.You must notify the divisional veterinary manager at the relevant airport.

Fines and penalties

You could be fined up to £5,000 if you import honey bees without notifying DARD.