Rwanda
Law determining the Organization and Functioning of Beekeeping in Rwanda
Law 25 of 2013
- Published in Official Gazette 27 on 8 July 2013
- Assented to on 10 May 2013
- Commenced on 8 July 2013
- [This is the version of this document from 8 July 2013.]
Chapter One
General provisions
Article One – Purpose of this Law
This Law shall determine the organization and functioning of the beekeeping in Rwanda.Article 2 – Beekeeping activities
The beekeeping main activities shall be the following:1°beehiving;2°honey harvesting;3°processing and marketing of other beekeeping products.Article 3 – Definitions of terms
Under this Law, the following terms shall have the meanings:1°wax: substances secreted from bee glands by means of which bees make honeycombs and their nests;2°pollen: male reproductive element of plants found in flower stamens collected by bees that allows fertilization of ovum in flowers and used by bees as growth food;3°colony of bees: family of bees inside or outside of a hive;4°beehiving: placing hives in a maintained location for bees to reproduce;5°beekeeping: raising of bees for their rational exploitation;6°beekeeper: person who engages in bee breeding for a production;7°hive: artificial structure in which the beekeeper raises bees;8°swarm: part of the population of a colony leaving the hive when a new queen is born in the existing hive;9°propolis: resinous substance derived from trees and used by bees to restore and protect the hive;10°apiary: several hives placed in the same location as part of beekeeping activity;11°bee: small flying insect that makes honey;12°queen: the only reproductive female bee in a hive;Chapter II
Management and development of beekeeping
Article 4 – Management and supervision of beekeeping
The beekeeping shall be managed and supervised by the Ministry in charge of beekeeping.Article 5 – Union of beekeepers
A Prime Minister’s Order shall determine modalities for establishment of the Union of Beekeepers.Chapter III
Conservation of beekeeping resources
Article 6 – Place where a beekeeper places hives
The beekeeper shall raise bees according to relevant standards that are determined by instructions of the Minister in charge of beekeeping.Article 7 – Relocation of an apiary and hives
Where beekeeping service in charge of inspection finds that hives are placed contrary to the provisions of Article 6 of this Law, it shall require the owner thereof to place them in accordance with the Law.Article 8 – Capturing a colony
Where a colony of bees settled in a place other than hive shall be captured by the relevant authorities and be placed in a hive.Where, for the purposes of ensuring the safety of persons and property, the service in charge of beekeeping finds that a colony of bees is settled in a place other than a hive, it shall capture it and place it in an appropriate hive.Article 9 – Right of ownership
Hives, colonies, swarms and beekeeping products shall be the beekeeper’s private property.Article 10 – Right to a swarm
When a colony of bees leaves a hive and lands at the neighbor’s, the owner reserves the right to chase and capture it.After thirty (30) days, a colony of bees that is not chased by anyone shall belong to the person who captured it first.Article 11 – Loss of the right of ownership
An owner of a colony of bees shall lose ownership of a swarm that migrates to another occupied apiary belonging to another beekeeper.However, if the new owner of the swarm has contributed to the migration, the provisions of Paragraph One of this Article shall not apply.Chapter IV
Hygiene and prohibitions in beekeeping
Article 12 – Hygiene
A beekeeper must ensure the hygiene of hives, equipment, honey production and personal hygiene whenever engaged in beekeeping activities.An Order of the Minister in charge of beekeeping shall determine modalities for the enforcement of the provisions of this Article.Article 13 – Modalities for the use of toxic substances in beekeeping
An Order of the Minister in charge of beekeeping shall determine modalities for the use of toxic substances employed in agriculture and for the prevention of contamination in beekeeping activities.Article 14 – Honey harvesting equipment
The beekeeper, when harvesting honey, shall be bound to use appropriate equipment that are determined by instructions of the Minister in charge of beekeeping.Article 15 – Destruction of a colony of bees
The beekeeping service shall order the destruction of a colony or a swarm of bees at such times and in such manner determined by it if:1°the colony of bees is infected with pathogens difficult to treat;2°the colony or swarm of bees may cause inevitable damage to the population;3°the colony of bees or the place where bees are raised is neglected or abandoned;4°the colony consists of sick or dead bees.Article 16 – Granting, withdrawal of beekeeper’s certificate and loss of the right to practice the beekeeping profession
Granting certificate, its withdrawal from any beekeeper who contravenes the provisions of this Law as well as the loss of the right to practice this profession, shall be determined by instructions of the Minister in responsible for beekeeping.Article 17 – Appeal against a decision
When a beekeeper is not satisfied with one or more decisions provided under Articles 15 and 16 of this a Law may appeal to the higher-level organ within ten 10 days from the time, he/she has been notified on.Chapter V
Final provisions
Article 18 – Drafting, consideration and adoption of this Law
This Law was drafted, considered and adopted in Kinyarwanda.Article 19 – Repealing provision
All prior legal provisions inconsistent with this law are hereby repealed.Article 20 – Commencement
This Law shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.History of this document
08 July 2013 this version
Commenced
10 May 2013
Assented to