The Bee Diseases and Pests Control (Scotland) Order 2007

Citation, commencement and extent S

1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (Scotland) Order 2007 and comes into force on 1st December 2007.

(2) This Order extends to Scotland only.

Commencement Information

I1 Art. 1 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Interpretation S

2.—(1) In this Order–

“the Act” means the Bees Act 1980;

“appliances” means containers or any other equipment used in connection with keeping or transporting bees;

“bee pest” means any beetle, mite or similar organism in any stage of its life cycle that may be injurious to bees;

“field test kit” means a portable test kit that can confirm the presence of a disease;

“hive” means any receptacle that contains or has at any time contained a colony of bees;

“notifiable disease” means American foul brood or European foul brood;

“notifiable pest” means the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida) or any species of the Tropilaelaps mite;

“premises” includes any land or building; and

“vehicle” includes any vessel, boat, hovercraft or aircraft.

(2) Any notice or licence issued under this Order–

(a) must be in writing;

(b) may be subject to conditions; and

(c) may be suspended, amended or revoked by a notice at any time.

(3) Paragraph (2)(b) does not apply to a notice issued under article 10.

(4) A licence issued under this Order may be general or specific.

(5) The Scottish Ministers must bring a general licence issued under this Order to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it by publishing it in such manner as they consider necessary.

(6) Any reference in this Order to anything done in writing or produced in written form includes a reference to an electronic communication, as defined in the Electronic Communications Act 2000(1), which has been recorded and is consequently capable of being reproduced.

Commencement Information

I2 Art. 2 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Notification of suspicion of a disease or pest S

3.—(1) Any owner or person in charge of a hive who knows or suspects that–

(a) any bees from the hive are infected with a notifiable disease; or

(b) a notifiable pest is present in the hive; or

(c) a notifiable pest is present on or in the same premises or vehicle as the hive,

must immediately notify that fact to the Scottish Ministers.

(2) Any other person who–

(a) has possession or charge of; or

(b) discovers in the course of that person’s occupation,

a bee pest that that person knows or suspects is a notifiable pest must immediately notify that fact to the Scottish Ministers.

(3) Paragraph (2) does not apply to any person who has possession or charge of a bee pest, or who discovers a bee pest, in the course of that person’s occupation at a laboratory to which samples have been sent for testing for the purposes of this Order.

Commencement Information

I3 Art. 3 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Prohibition on removal S

4.—(1) Where notification has been given under article 3(1), the owner or person in charge of the hive must not remove, or permit to be removed, from the premises or vehicle on or in which the hive is situated–

(a) any hive, bees, combs, bee products, bee pests, hive debris or appliances; or

(b) any other thing liable to spread the notifiable disease or the notifiable pest,

except for the purpose of submitting a sample under paragraph (2).

(2) The owner or person in charge of a hive may submit to the Scottish Ministers for laboratory tests samples of–

(a) any parts of the hive, bees, combs, bee products or hive debris, to establish whether they are infected with a notifiable disease or a notifiable pest;

(b) any bee pest to establish if it is a notifiable pest; or

(c) soil from the area surrounding the hive to establish if it is infected with a notifiable pest.

(3) If a notice is served under article 6(1) or (2), the prohibition on removal in that notice applies in place of the prohibition on removal in paragraph (1).

(4) In the absence of a notice served under article 6(1) or (2), the prohibition on removal in paragraph (1) applies until–

(a) an authorised person has served a notice confirming that that authorised person is satisfied that the bees are not infected with the notifiable disease or that the notifiable pest is not present in the hive or on or in the same premises or vehicle as the hive; or

(b) the owner or person in charge of the hive has been informed that the test results on samples submitted to the Scottish Ministers under paragraph (2) confirm that the material sampled is not infected by a notifiable disease or a notifiable pest or is not a notifiable pest.

(5) Any person who gives notification under article 3(2) must not remove, or permit the removal of, any bee pest or any other thing by which the notifiable pest is liable to be spread from the premises or vehicle on or in which it is situated, except for the purpose of submitting a sample under paragraph (6).

(6) Any person who gives notification under article 3(2) may submit to the Scottish Ministers for laboratory tests samples of–

(a) any bee pest to establish if it is a notifiable pest; or

(b) any other thing, including soil, to establish if it is infected with a notifiable pest.

(7) If a notice is served under article 6(1) or (2), the prohibition on removal in that notice applies in place of the prohibition on removal in paragraph (5).

(8) In the absence of a notice served under article 6(1) or (2), the prohibition on removal in paragraph (5) applies until–

(a) an authorised person has served a notice confirming that that authorised person is satisfied that the notifiable pest is not present; or

(b) the person who gave notification has been informed that the test results on samples submitted to the Scottish Ministers under paragraph (6) confirm that the material sampled is not a notifiable pest or is not infected with a notifiable pest.

(9) Any sample submitted under paragraph (2) or (6) must be packed in a way which prevents as far as possible the risk of the spread of infection during transit.

Commencement Information

I4 Art. 4 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Marking of hives and appliances S

5.—(1) An authorised person may mark any hive or appliance for identification purposes.

(2) No person shall without reasonable excuse interfere with any identifying mark made under paragraph (1) or permit such a mark to be interfered with.

Commencement Information

I5 Art. 5 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Notices prohibiting removal S

6.—(1) Where an authorised person has reasonable grounds to suspect that a notifiable disease or a notifiable pest is present on or in any premises or vehicle, that authorised person shall serve on the owner or person in charge of–

(a) any hive, bees, combs, bee products, bee pests, hive debris or appliances situated on or in the premises or vehicle; or

(b) any other thing situated on or in the premises or vehicle that is liable to spread the notifiable disease or the notifiable pest,

a notice prohibiting their removal and the removal of any bee pests contained in or affecting them from the premises or vehicle, except under the authority of a licence issued by the Scottish Ministers.

(2) Where an authorised person is obstructed in the exercise of the power of entry under section 2 of the Act, that authorised person may serve on the person appearing to that authorised person to be the owner or occupier of the premises or the owner or person in charge of the vehicle a notice prohibiting the removal from the premises or vehicle of–

(a) any hive, bees, combs, bee products, bee pests, hive debris or appliances; or

(b) any other thing liable to spread a notifiable disease or a notifiable pest.

(3) An authorised person shall serve a notice revoking a notice served under paragraph (2) if the power of entry under section 2 of the Act is subsequently exercised without obstruction.

Commencement Information

I6 Art. 6 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Disease control measures S

7.—(1) The presence of a notifiable disease may be confirmed by an authorised person on the basis of a laboratory test result or a field test kit result.

(2) Where the presence of American foul brood has been confirmed in a hive, an authorised person–

(a) shall serve on the owner or person in charge of the hive a notice requiring the destruction in accordance with the notice of any bees, combs or bee products from the hive;

(b) may serve on the owner or person in charge of the hive a notice requiring the destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice of the hive, debris from the hive and any appliances or other things liable to spread the disease;

(c) may serve on any other person who is the owner or person in charge of any appliances or other things liable to spread the disease a notice requiring their destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice.

(3) Where the presence of European foul brood has been confirmed in a hive, an authorised person–

(a) shall serve on the owner or person in charge of the hive a notice requiring the destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice of any bees, combs or bee products from the hive;

(b) may serve on the owner or person in charge of the hive a notice requiring the destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice of the hive, debris from the hive and any appliances or other things liable to spread the disease;

(c) may serve on any other person who is the owner or person in charge of any appliances or other things liable to spread the disease a notice requiring their destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice.

(4) If, once any treatment required by a notice served under this article has been carried out, an authorised person confirms on the basis of a laboratory test result or a field test kit result that the notifiable disease remains, an authorised person may serve further notices under this article.

Commencement Information

I7 Art. 7 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Pest control measures S

8.—(1) The presence of a notifiable pest may be confirmed by an authorised person on the basis of a laboratory test result or a physical examination.

(2) Where the presence of a notifiable pest has been confirmed in a hive or on or in the same premises or vehicle as a hive, an authorised person–

(a) shall serve on the owner or person in charge of the hive a notice requiring the destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice of the hive, any bees, combs, bee products, bee pests or debris from the hive, and any appliances or other things by which the notifiable pest is liable to be spread;

(b) may serve on the owner or occupier of the premises on which the hive is situated a notice requiring the treatment in accordance with the notice of the soil surrounding the hive;

(c) may serve on any other person who is the owner or person in charge of any appliances or other things by which the notifiable pest is liable to be spread a notice requiring their destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice.

(3) Where the presence of a notifiable pest is confirmed on or in any other premises or vehicle, an authorised person may serve a notice requiring the destruction or treatment in accordance with the notice of any bee pests and of any other things by which the notifiable pest is liable to be spread on–

(a) any person who has possession or charge of a bee pest;

(b) the owner or occupier of the premises, or the owner or person in charge of the vehicle.

Commencement Information

I8 Art. 8 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Notices served under article 7 or 8 S

9.  A notice served under article 7 or 8 shall specify–

(a) the method of destruction or treatment, which may, in the case of treatment, include the use of a particular substance or any other action intended to control the disease or pest; and

(b) the date by which destruction or treatment must take place, or the period during which treatment must take place,

and may specify that the destruction or treatment is to be carried out by an authorised person, in the presence of an authorised person or under the supervision of an authorised person.

Commencement Information

I9 Art. 9 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Declaration of infected area S

10.—(1) The Scottish Ministers may by notice declare an area in which they are satisfied that a notifiable pest is present to be an infected area.

(2) The notice may provide that all or any of the provisions specified in the Schedule to this Order apply in all or part of the infected area, as the Scottish Ministers consider necessary to prevent the spread of the notifiable pest.

(3) The Scottish Ministers must bring any notice issued under paragraph (1) and any notice amending or revoking such a notice to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it by publishing it in such manner as they consider necessary.

Commencement Information

I10 Art. 10 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Imported bees S

11.—(1) This article applies where bees are imported into Scotland in accordance with Articles 1(1) and 2 of Commission Decision 2003/881/EC concerning the animal health and certification conditions for imports of bees (Apis mellifera and Bombus spp.) from certain third countries and repealing Decision 2000/462/EC(2).

(2) When bees imported in accordance with said Article 1(1) arrive at the apiary of destination (as indicated on the health certificate accompanying the bees), the consignee (as indicated on the health certificate accompanying the bees) must–

(a) transfer the queen bees to new cages before they are introduced to any local colonies of bees; and

(b) send the cages in which the bees were transported from the country of origin, the attendant bees and other material that accompanied the queen bees from their country of origin to the Scottish Ministers for laboratory examination for the presence of a notifiable pest.

(3) Following the laboratory examination referred to in paragraph (2)(b), the Scottish Ministers shall arrange for the cages, attendant bees and other material referred to in that paragraph to be destroyed as soon as reasonably practicable.

(4) When bees of the species Bombus spp. are imported in accordance with said Article 2, the owner or person in charge of the bees must ensure that the container in which they are transported from the country of origin and all material that accompanies the bees from the country of origin are destroyed either during or immediately at the end of the lifespan of the imported colony.

Commencement Information

I11 Art. 11 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Provision of facilities and other obligations S

12.  The owner or person in charge of any hive, bees, combs, bee products or appliances, the owner or occupier of any premises and the owner or person in charge of any vehicle on or in which there is suspected to be a notifiable disease or a notifiable pest must–

(a) make available such facilities; and

(b) give such information (including information concerning the number, location and movement of hives, bees, combs, bee products or appliances that are or have been in that person’s possession or charge and information concerning the location of any bee pests in or on the premises or vehicle),

to an authorised person as that authorised person shall reasonably require for the purposes of this Order.

Commencement Information

I12 Art. 12 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Prohibition on treatment S

13.  No person may treat bees with a substance which may have the effect of disguising the presence of, or rendering difficult the detection of, a notifiable disease unless that person is carrying out the treatment of bees–

(a) in accordance with a notice served under article 7; or

(b) under the authority of a licence issued by the Scottish Ministers.

Commencement Information

I13 Art. 13 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Compliance with notices S

14.  Any person who has been served with a notice under this Order or who is subject to a notice declaring an area to be an infected area issued under article 10 shall comply with the provisions of that notice.

Commencement Information

I14 Art. 14 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Action in default S

15.  If any person fails to take any action required to be taken under this Order or under a notice served under this Order, an authorised person may, without prejudice to any proceedings arising out of such default, take such action or cause such action to be taken and the amount of any expenses reasonably incurred by the authorised person in doing so is recoverable by the Scottish Ministers from the person in default.

Commencement Information

I15 Art. 15 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Service of notices S

16.—(1) Any notice served under this Order is properly served on any person if it is–

(a) delivered to that person personally;

(b) left at or posted to that person’s home or place of business last known to the Scottish Ministers; or

(c) where the conditions in paragraph (2) are fulfilled, sent to that person by electronic communication.

(2) A notice served on any person by electronic communication is only properly served if that person–

(a) has indicated in writing to the Scottish Ministers (and has not withdrawn the indication) a willingness to accept service of notices under this Order by electronic communication; and

(b) has provided in writing to the Scottish Ministers an e-mail address for that purpose.

(3) This article does not apply to a notice issued under article 10.

Commencement Information

I16 Art. 16 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Offences by bodies corporate S

17.—(1) Where a body corporate is guilty of an offence under the Act by virtue of this Order and that offence is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of, or to have been attributable to any neglect on the part of–

(a) any director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body corporate; or

(b) any person who was purporting to act in any such capacity,

that person as well as the body corporate is guilty of the offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.

(2) For the purposes of this regulation, “director” in relation to a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, means a member of the body corporate and “body corporate” includes a partnership in Scotland, and, in relation to such a partnership, a reference to a director or other officer of a body corporate is a reference to a partner.

Commencement Information

I17 Art. 17 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Authorised persons S

18.  An authorised person incurs no civil or criminal liability for anything which the authorised person does in purported exercise of any functions conferred on the authorised person by this Order where the authorised person acts on reasonable grounds and in good faith.

Commencement Information

I18 Art. 18 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Exemptions S

19.  The Scottish Ministers may by licence exempt any person who is involved in research into, or in any course of training relating to, pests or diseases affecting bees from any of the provisions of this Order, except the provisions of article 11.

Commencement Information

I19 Art. 19 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

Revocations S

20.  The Bee Diseases Control Order 1982(3) and the Importation of Bees Order 1997(4) are revoked in so far as they apply to Scotland.

Commencement Information

I20 Art. 20 in force at 1.12.2007, see art. 1(1)

RICHARD LOCHHEAD

A member of the Scottish Executive

St Andrew’s House,

Edinburgh

8th November 2007