The Bees Act 1980 (c. 12) is an
act of the
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories. It meets at the Palace of Westminster, London. It alone possesses legislative suprema ...
.
Powers
If the
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (post now replaced by the
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, also referred to as the environment secretary, is a secretary of state in the Government of the United Kingdom
ga, Rialtas a Shoilse gd, Riaghaltas a Mhòrachd
, image = H ...
), the
Secretary of State for Scotland
The secretary of state for Scotland ( gd, Rùnaire Stàite na h-Alba; sco, Secretar o State fir Scotland), also referred to as the Scottish secretary, is a Secretary of State (United Kingdom), secretary of state in the Government of the Unit ...
and the
Secretary of State for Wales all agree and decide jointly that a threat is posed to the health of bees, they may
prohibit the transportation into or around the United Kingdom of bees,
honeycomb,
beehives or anything connected with
beekeeping
Beekeeping (or apiculture) is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made beehives. Honey bees in the genus '' Apis'' are the most-commonly-kept species but other honey-producing bees such as ''Melipona'' stingless bees are also kept. ...
. They may appoint any person (in writing) they choose to seize and examine bees for
disease
A disease is a particular abnormal condition that negatively affects the structure or function of all or part of an organism, and that is not immediately due to any external injury. Diseases are often known to be medical conditions that a ...
.
Any bees found to be diseased may be destroyed if the inspector sees fit. Bees or related equipment imported into Britain may also be destroyed at the discretion of government officials. No
compensation is available for those whose bees are destroyed. Any expenses incurred during this process were to be compensated by Parliament.
Power of
forced entry
Forcible entry is "the unlawful taking of possession of real property by force or threats of force or unlawful entry into or onto another's property, especially when accompanied by force". The term is also sometimes used for entry by military, pol ...
was also given to officials who suspect diseased bees to be on the premises ("any premises or other place, or any vessel, boat, hovercraft, aircraft or other vehicle").
Offences
It was made an offence to transport bees into or around Britain while the Act was in force – either by importing them, or by failing to cooperate with government orders. A maximum fine of £1,000 was introduced for committing this offence.
Any person who refused government officials entry to any premises or other place, or any vessel, boat, hovercraft, aircraft or other vehicle which was suspected to harbour diseased bees was to be charged with
obstruction of justice and fined up to £200.
Application
The Act does not extend to
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, that is variously described as a country, province or region. Nort ...
.
Powers under this act are now devolved to the Welsh Assembly, under The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2004.
See also
*
Beekeeping in the United Kingdom
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bees Act 1980
United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1980
Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning England and Wales
Legal history of England
Beekeeping in the United Kingdom
Agriculture legislation in the United Kingdom
Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning Scotland