Register as a Primary Honey Producer

People involved in the production of primary products such as honey must be registered as Food Business Operators with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. The aim of this European Union regulation is to enhance public health protection by setting out the responsibilities of food producers.

A Food Business Operator is the person responsible for ensuring the requirements of food law are met within the food business under their control. You will not be able to sell your produce legally without this registration. If you are under 18 years of age, you should get your parent or guardian to complete the form on your behalf.

To comply with EU rules you must:

• keep clean any facilities used in connection with primary production and associated operations, including facilities used to store and handle feed and where necessary after cleaning disinfect them
• keep clean and, where necessary after cleaning, disinfect equipment, containers, crates, vehicles and vessels
• use potable water, or clean water, whenever necessary to prevent contamination
• ensure that staff handling honey are in good health and trained on health risks
• as far as possible prevent animals and pests from causing contamination
• store and handle waste and hazardous substances in a manner that will prevent contamination of food and feed
• take account of the results of any relevant analyses carried out on samples taken from bees or other samples that have importance to human health
• use feed additives and veterinary medicinal products correctly as required by the relevant legislation
• keep records relating to the measures put in place to control hazards

Food Business Operators producing honey are, in particular, to keep records on:

• the nature and origin of feed for the bees
• the name and quantity of veterinary medicinal products or other treatments given to their bees, dates of administration and withdrawal periods
• the person who administered the animal remedy and where they purchased the animal remedy
• the occurrence of any disease that may affect the safety of the honey
• the results of any relevant analyses carried out on samples taken from the bees or other samples taken for diagnostic purposes that have importance for human health
• any relevant report on checks carried out on the bees or honey
• sales of honey to anyone other than the final consumer

You can download a copy of the Application Form for Registration as a Primary Producer of Honey From the following link: gov.ie - Beekeeping & Honey (www.govie)

Once completed, please post it to the following address: