New Draft Regulations on Organic Production (October 2001)

Section 7:  Standards for organic bee keeping

Organic bee keeping shall comply with the following production practices:

(1)        Hives shall be situated in organically managed fields and shall be collected as prescribed in regulation 5(5).

(2)        Feeding may only take place --

(a)        after the last harvest and before the next season;

(b)        where the survival of the hives is endangered due to extreme climatic con­ditions;

(c)        if the feed consist of certified organic honey, sugar syrup, sugar molasses;  and

(d)        if the following information is recorded with regard to feeding:  Type of product, dates, quantities and hives where used.

(3)        The foundation comb shall be made of organic wax.

(4)        The bee hive shall primarily consist of natural materials and the use of materials with poten­tially toxic effects are prohibited.

(5)        Mutilation such as wing clipping is not allowed.

(6)        Artificial insemination is not allowed.

(7)        Destruction of bees in the combs as harvesting method is prohibited.

(8)        When working with bees no repellent consisting of prohibited substances, such as synthetic repellents, shall be used.

(9)        Replacement of the queen bees involving the killing of the old queen is permitted.

(10)      Beekeeping products can be sold as organic only when the provisions of these regula­tions have been met for at least one year.

(11)      Simultaneous conventional and organic production are allowed:  Provided that the hives are clearly identified and conventional and organic hives are sited at least 6 km from each other.

(12)       The siting of the hives during production must --

(a)        ensure sufficient natural nectar, honeydew and pollen sources and access to water;

(b)        be such that, within a radius of 3 km from the hive, nectar and pollen sources consist essentially of organic crops;  and

(c)        maintain enough distance from any non-agricultural sources that can possibly lead to contamination.

(13)       New hives must be established by means of colonies or the acquisition of swarms from units complying with the provision of these regulations:  Provided that 10% per year of queen bees and swarms not complying with the provisions of these regulations can be incorporated into organic production without undergoing the conversion period.

(14)       Hives must be left with reserves of honey and pollen sufficiently abundant to survive lean times.

(15)       Disease prevention shall be based on the following:

(i)         The selection of appropriate breeds.

(ii)         The application of practices encouraging resistance to disease and the prevention of infections, such as regular renewal of queen bees, systematic inspection of hives to detect any health anomalies, control of male broods in the hives, disinfecting of materials and equipment at regular intervals, destruction of contaminated material or sources, regular renewal of beeswax and sufficient reserve of pollen and honey in hives.

(16)       The use of veterinary medicinal products shall comply with the following:

(a)        Phytotherapeutic and homeopathic products shall be used in preference to chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products.

(b)        If the products in (a) are not, or is unlikely to be, effective in combating illness or injury, chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian.

(c)        The use of chemically-synthesised allopathic veterinary medicinal products or antibiotics for preventive treatment is prohibited.

(d)        For pest and disease control and for hive disinfection the following products may be allowed:

(i) Caustic soda;

(ii) Lactic, oxalic, acetic acid;

(iii) Formic acid;

(iv) Sulphur

(v) Menthol, thymol, eucalyptol or camphor.

(vi) Bacillus thuringiensis;

(vii) physical treatments such as steam or direct flame;  and

(viii) products listed in Annexure III.

(e)        When veterinary medicinal products are used it must be recorded together with the details of the diagnosis, the posology, method of administration, dura­tion of treatment and legal withdrawal period.

(f)         When chemically-synthesised allopathic products are used for treatment, then --

(i) the hives must be placed in isolation;

(ii) the wax must be replaced;  and

(iii) the conversion period of one year will apply.

(g)        Any veterinary treatment or treatments to hives, combs, etc., which are com­pulsory under national legislation shall be authorised.

(17)       Hives must be identified and records must be kept of where the hives are kept, their movement of removal of supers and extraction.

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