Beekeeping and Honey

EU Regulations on food and food safety, commonly referred to as the Hygiene Package, came into effect in 2006. The objectives of the Regulations include focusing controls on what is necessary for public health protection and clarifying that it is the primary responsibility of Food Business Operators to produce food safely.

Part of the requirements of these Regulations is that people involved in the production of primary products must be registered as Food Business Operators with the relevant Competent Authority, which in this case is the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. This includes beekeepers who are producing honey.

There are three categories under which you can register with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

(a) Primary Producer of Honey

If you wish to register as either an individual honey producer, a company or a joint venture please email RegisterFBO@agriculture.gov.ie for the appropriate registration form.

(b) Association Apiary

If you are an association wishing to register an apiary, please email RegisterFBO@agriculture.gov.ie for the appropriate registration form.

(c) Honey Packer/Purchaser

If you are a honey purchaser/packer wishing to register, please email RegisterFBO@agriculture.gov.ie for the appropriate registration form.

Completed Registration forms should be emailed to: RegisterFBO@agriculture.gov.ie or alternatively posted to: Honey Registration Section, Horticulture and Plant Health Division

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Administration Building, Backweston Campus, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, W23 X3PH

Any queries relating to registration can be directed to RegisterFBO@agriculture.gov.ie

Beekeeping Supports and Grants

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine supports Irish beekeeping through several initiatives including providing aid to support the activities of national beekeeping organisations and provision of grant aid for capital investments by individual beekeepers in specialised beekeeping related equipment and structures.

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is intended to assist in the development of the commercial horticulture sector, including beekeeping, by grant aiding capital investments in specialised buildings and equipment. For beekeepers a minimum investment of €2,000 (excluding VAT) applies.

In the case of beekeeping, examples of items funded previously under this Scheme have included hives (excluding frames and bees), honey extraction, storage and jarring equipment as well as honey houses (both new and renovated).

The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is currently closed for applications, but it is expected that the Scheme will reopen later this year. However, it is important to note that the continuance of the scheme is contingent on sufficient Exchequer funds being made available.

Further information and the application form and Terms & Conditions for the Scheme for previous years can be obtained here.

Queries regarding the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector should be directed to: horticulturegrants@agriculture.gov.ie.

Annual Grants to Irish National Beekeepers Federations

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) pays an annual grant to the Irish National Beekeepers Federations to help their associated members to pursue the craft of beekeeping to the highest standards and to also inform the public about the environmental role that bees play in maintaining Irish biodiversity and crop production. This grant aid is restricted to the Irish National Beekeepers Federations.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is seeking stakeholders’ views, comments and feedback through a short survey in relation to the transposition of EU Directive 2024/1438, amending Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey.

Directive (EU) 2024/1438 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amended Council Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey. The amending Directive lays down changes to rules on the labelling of honey. It is intended that Ireland will transpose amendments to this Directive, into domestic legislation by 14 December 2025 with the transitional period for food businesses to comply being no later than 14 June 2026.

Further information on the proposed amendments can be found in the Stakeholder Information Note below.

To submit your views please click on the survey link below:

https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/Honey_Directive_Engagement

Please submit your return by Monday 15th August 2025.

The import and export of bees is governed by EU law. EU Animal Health Regulations set down rules for imports into the EU and for intra community trade between Member States and contain specific provisions to safeguard the health of bees located in the territory of the Union. Bees being imported or exported are subject to health certification at their place of origin in the exporting country.

Bees moving to Ireland from another EU Member State must be notified to the Department at least 24 hours before the consignment's arrival using the Advance Notification Form. These consignments must also be accompanied by a health certificate which has been issued by the Competent Authority in the Member State of origin.

Importers must be registered with the Department and on the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES). TRACES is the European Commission's online platform for sanitary and phytosanitary certification required for the importation of animals, animal products, food and feed of non-animal origin and plants into the European Union, and the intra-EU trade and EU exports of animals and certain animal products.

Further information on TRACES can be found here.

Further information on the requirements for the importation of Honey bees (Apis mellifera) and Bumble Bees (Bombus spp.) from outside the EU can be found here.

If you are considering exporting bees from Ireland, please email beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie for further information.

The DAFM Honey Bee Health Surveillance Programme

The Honey Bee Health Surveillance Programme is a free service offered by DAFM and aims to provide an efficient disease diagnostic service for beekeepers. This will assist beekeepers with the detection of pests and pathogens in the colony even at low levels of infection/infestation. The early detection of pest and pathogens is key to maintaining healthy stocks and maximising honey production.

Adult bees will be tested for Tracheal mite, Nosema spp. and clinical symptoms of deformed wing virus. Brood comb samples will be analysed for American foulbrood, European foulbrood and clinical symptoms of chalkbrood, sacbrood virus, parasitic mite syndrome (PMDS) and wax moth. The diagnostics tests will be carried out with reference to the methods recommended by the European Reference Laboratory on Bee health (EURL) and by the OIE (Office International des Epizooties).

All samples submitted for analysis should be accompanied with a completed sample submission form (see below). The Honey bee Health Programme Guidance Document below outlines the importance of sampling and gives guidelines on when/how to sample bees and brood from the colony.

DAFM Sentinel Apiary Programme

The aim of the Sentinel Apiary Programme is to ensure the early detection of three exotic pests, Small Hive beetle (SHB), Tropilaelaps spp. and the Asian Hornet. To date, Small Hive beetle (SHB) and Tropilaelaps spp have not been reported in Ireland, but their potential arrival remains a serious threat.

If you would like further information on the Sentinel Apiary Programme or are interested in participating in the programme for 2026, please email Beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie

Asian Hornet

The Asian Hornet is considered an invasive species and poses a serious threat not only for honey bee colonies but also for all wild bee populations. It arrived in Europe in 2004, but since then has successfully reproduced in many European countries including the UK.

DAFM has been continuously monitoring for this pest as part of a broader surveillance programme since 2016. The first discovery in Ireland of a live specimen of Asian Hornet occurred on the 25th of April 2021. There is no evidence that the Asian Hornet is established in Ireland currently. Beekeepers should actively monitor their own area and locality for the Asian Hornet, especially during the active season. The fact sheet and identification guide below will assist beekeepers and members of the public in the identification of this species.

Suspected Asian Hornet sightings can be reported to the following:

Report suspected sightings in Ireland with a photograph through this online form https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/record/invasives or the Biodiversity Data capture app.

If you have an apiary and want to report a suspected Asian Hornet, contact the Horticulture and Plant Health Unit of DAFM at beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie

Further Information:

National Biodiversity Data Centre Website: Invasive Species Alert for Asian hornet - National Biodiversity Data Centre

DAFM Asian Hornet Monitoring Programme

The aim of the Asian Hornet Monitoring Programme is to assist in the early detection of the Asian Hornet. The first discovery in Ireland of a live specimen of Asian Hornet occurred on the 25th of April 2021.

Programme participants are provided with Asian Hornet traps free of charge. Participants are required to monitor their trap on a regular basis. If a sighting of an Asian Hornet is suspected/ trapped, participants should contact DAFM at beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie and if possible, include a photograph. All suspect specimens should be submitted to DAFM, Plant Health Laboratories for confirmation.

If you would like further information on the Asian Hornet Monitoring Programme or are interested in participating in the programme, please email Beekeeping@agriculture.gov.ie.

Honey Bee Veterinary Medicines

For the latest information on approved veterinary medicines for use with honeybees please go to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) website.

Honey Production

Honey offered for sale to the consumer must comply with the European Communities (Marketing of Honey) Regulations 2003 (SI 367 of 2003 as amended). These regulations aim to ensure the honey is of acceptable quality and accurately labelled, especially in terms of origin. This Department carries out inspections to ensure compliance with these regulations and penalties may be applied if non compliances are found. Beekeepers are encouraged to register with this Department for food hygiene purposes and are issued with a unique beekeeper registration number.

Labelling of Honey

To facilitate trade based on fair competition and to prevent both traders and consumers from being misled, general food labelling as well as specific labelling legislation applies to honey. Council Directive 2001/110/EC (as amended) relating to honey (S.I. 367 of 2003 as amended), Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the provision of food information to consumers (S.I. 556 of 2014) and Directive 2011/91/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on indications or marks identifying the lot to which a foodstuff belongs (S.I. 110 of 1992) set out the labelling requirements under European Union and Irish law for jarred honey offered for sale.

Directive (EU) 2024/1438 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey came into force on 13 June 2024. The Directive introduces common rules on the composition and labelling of honey that will help consumers make informed choices by increasing transparency in the food chain and limiting fraudulent practices. The Directive will start to be applied from mid-2026 and one of the main changes will see the countries of origin in honey blends listed on the label in descending order with the percentage share of each origin.

The Labelling of Honey Guidance Note has been designed to summarise the requirements of Council Directive 2001/110/EC and has not been updated to reflect amendments introduced by Directive (EU) 2024/1438. It will be updated in due course. The Guidance Note was prepared to assist and guide those preparing honey for the market. The official legal text will take precedence in the event of any dispute between the requirements set out in this guide and the official legal text.