Albania’s beekeeping sector is set for regulation as the government has proposed the final draft of a new law that would impact even those with just one hive.
Currently, beekeeping is not regulated by law and bee keepers are free to keep as many hives as they want with no rules. The Ministry of Agriculture, however, has drafted the law in an attempt to increase protection of bees as their existence comes under increasing threat, not just in Albania, but around the world.
“The purpose of the draft act is to recognise beekeeping as an activity of vital, national interest, useful for the preservation of the natural environment, ecosystem, and agriculture in general, which aims to guarantee national pollination and biodiversity of the bee species, with special reference to the protection of the bee breed apis mellifera carnica and typical indigenous bee populations,” the Ministry states.
In particular, it will determine rules for production, registration, transport, reproduction, labeling, processing and storing of bee-derived products including honey and propolis.
Any individual or company operating even one hive will be required to register it with the authorities by 30 April each year. Furthermore, it lays down specifics regarding the location of hives; over 10 meters from the road and 5 meters from public or private property boundaries.
Hives can either be static or mobile but any beekeeper wishing to move hives must notify the authorities six days before the intended date. Beekeepers will have to submit a veterinary certificate, declaring the bees are in good health and confirming necessary medical measures taken prior to the move.
The authorities will then decide whether the migration of the bee park can take place or not.
Under the new potential rules, the draft states that European bees such as apis mellifera and local subspecies such as apis mellifera carnica, apis mellifera ligustica, apis mellifera sicula, and apis mellifera cecropia, amongst others, should be used.
Additionally, all beekeepers should have basic knowledge in the sector and should take all appropriate measures, laid down in the law, to protect both bees and consumers.
Other articles of the proposed law include what happens if beekeepers flout the law or do not declare their activity to the government, amongst other infractions. In addition, it provides instruction on how to store, and label honey products.
Lastly, the government has foreseen several provisions to support the growth of the sector. Albania is known locally for having excellent honey due to favorable conditions, climate, and flora.
The government pledges to promote and protect the development of Albanian products, create research programmes, incentivise young people to take up beekeeping as a profession, and to support beekeepers in rural areas.
One local beekeeper told Exit that he cautiously welcomes the news.
“It is good to have some regulation in the industry, particularly if we want to sell products to a wider market. I am just worried about those who may struggle to meet the financial demands of compliance,” he explained.
In 2020, Albania experienced its best honey harvesting year on record. Beekeepers in the Morava region of the country told the media they had never seen a season like it in the last 50 years.
The Morava area produces tens of tonnes of honey every year, with varieties including white clover, chestnut, wild thyme, and rapeseed.
The authorities have also said that the drafting of the law has been done in line with European Union law. While the law is expected to pass in the coming weeks, further laws will need to be introduced and there will be a two-year grace period before full implementation.
