Beekeeping

Beekeeping involves raising honeybees in hives to produce honey and other products. It requires knowledge and skill, as well as the provision of a suitable hive, a consistent source of food and water, and protection from predators.

Keeping honey bees is regulated in South Australia by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and under the Livestock Act 1997 and Livestock Regulations 2013.

In South Australia, there are several legislative requirements that you must follow to keep bees on your property.

Bee movement restrictions are regularly introduced due to the safe management of bee related diseases and pests. Keep up to date on the latest restrictions regarding moving bees and bee related products.

You are required to register your hive with PIRSA every 12 months to keep bees in the Barossa. This helps authorities keep track of the number and location of hives in the area.

The main thing is to follow proper hive management practices to keep your bees healthy and prevent the spread of diseases.

There are 5 mandatory requirements of hive management in South Australia following the latest best practice in biosecurity, which includes approval of bee hives, biosecurity record management, water suitability, training courses and notifiable pests and diseases.

Bees are vulnerable to pests such as small hive beetles and varroa mites as well as diseases including American foulbrood (AFB), Sacbrood, nosema. Keep you and your bees safe and prevent diseases by following PIRSA animal health guidelines and keep an eye out for pests.

Find out more by visiting the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) or enquire by emailing the PIRSA Apiary Unit at pirsa.beebiosecurity@sa.gov.au