Honeybee and bumblebee imports and exports
This page provides information and guidelines to Northern Ireland beekeepers on importing and exporting bees within the European Union (EU), Great Britain (GB) and other third countries.
Guidelines for beekeepers
Beekeepers in Northern Ireland who intend to import or export honeybees must be registered with DAERA using the online registration platform, DataBees
DataBees Beekeeper Registration (daera-ni.gov.uk)
The EU Animal Health Law (2016), implemented in Northern Ireland in April 2021 defines bees as terrestrial animals and as such their keeping and movements are subject to this legislation, as outlined below.
Health certificates
Import or export of bees, (including queens, packages and colonies) is permitted if accompanied by a European Union (EU) Animal Health Certificate or Third Country health certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin of the bees via TRACES NT.
The TRACES NT system is a risk management tool for animal health and public health, relating to trade in animals and products of animal origin whether within the EU Community or originating in third countries. It also provides the veterinary authorities of the Member States and third countries with assistance in dealing with the animal health certification required.
Once the account is registered on TRACES NT, beekeepers who intend to import bees into NI must contact DAERA to have the relevant permissions added to the account. Please contact TracesXI@daera-ni.gov.uk for further information.
Trade in Bees with European Union Member States
For beekeepers interested in exporting bees within the EU Regulatory Zone, an application using a Health Certificate to Export Bees Form (BN8) is required. DAERA officials undertake bee inspections in respect of the required certification.
Bees arriving into NI from the EU need to be pre-notified (BN1 form) via TRACES NT and be accompanied by an EU Animal Health Certificate issued by the competent authority in the member state of origin. Consignments must be made available for inspection.
There is currently a prohibition on the movement of bees from parts of Italy (Sicily and Calabria) where the presence of Small Hive Beetle (SHB) is confirmed.
Trade in Bees with GB and other Third Countries
Currently, only consignments of queen bees may be moved from GB and other Third Countries into Northern Ireland and must enter via the designated Border Control Points (BCPs) - Belfast and Larne seaports. These movements must be pre-notified via TRACES NT and accompanied by a Health Certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of export. Importers of such bees are required to send packaging/cages associated with the import to a designated laboratory for diagnostic checks.
Consignments of bees may be moved from NI to GB under unfettered market access arrangements.
Before exporting bees from NI to other third countries, the exporter should establish the certification requirements of the destination country, assuming imports are permitted from Northern Ireland into that country.
Trade in Bees with Crown Dependencies
The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, although not part of the UK are 'Crown Dependencies'.
The Crown Dependencies, have their own import requirements; please contact the relevant authorities for further information.