Regional Law No. 1174-OZ “On apiculture”.

The scope of this Regional Law shall be to protect honey bees (Apis mellifera), create conditions for bee raising and bee keeping, use thereof for pollination of entomophilous plants with a view of raising crop productivity and raising manufacturing of apiculture products. Owners of apiaries must be in possession of veterinary certificates, issued by the authorized state veterinary institution, containing the following data: (a) apiary inspection data; (b) number of bee families; (c) veterinary and sanitary state of apiaries; and (d) data on anti-epizootic arrangements (art. 4). Bee raising activity must comply with the following requirements: (a) protection of bee habitats, reproduction grounds and migration routes; (b) optimal population of bees in areas under crops and grasses in need of pollination; and (c) scientifically substantiated rational management and reproduction of bees (art. 5). Bee farmers shall have the right to place apiaries (bee families) on land plots in their ownership, lease or tenancy (art. 6). Honey and apiculture products must comply with food quality and food safety requirements and standards (art. 8).