2021 No. 420

Bee Diseases, England

The Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) (Amendment) Order 2021

Made

Laid before Parliament

Coming into force

The Secretary of State makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 1 of the Bees Act 19801.

Citation and commencement1

This Order may be cited as the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) (Amendment) Order 2021 and comes into force on 21st April 2021.

Amendment to the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 20062

In the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 20062, after article 3 insert—

Reporting of Varroa mite (Varroosis)3A

1

An owner or person in charge of a hive who knows that any species of the Varroa mite (Varroosis) is present within that hive must give notice of that fact to the Secretary of State as soon as is practicable.

2

Any other person who discovers in the course of his occupation the presence of the Varroa mite (Varroosis) in a hive, must give notice of that fact to the Secretary of State as soon as is practicable.

3

A person who gives notice under this article in respect of a hive is not required to give further notices in respect of other hives at the same location.

Gardiner of KimbleParliamentary Under Secretary of StateDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/342) to add notification requirements in respect of the presence in a hive of the Varroa mite (Varroosis).

By virtue of section 1(7)(c) of the Bees Act 1980 (c. 12), breach of any provision of the Order constitutes an offence punishable on summary conviction by an unlimited fine.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact, or no significant impact, on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.