Rwanda
Ministerial Order relating to Hygiene in Beekeeping and Modalities for Use of Toxic Substances
Ministerial Order 1 of 2014
- Published in Official Gazette 5 on 2 February 2015
- Assented to on 10 December 2014
- Commenced on 2 February 2015
- [This is the version of this document from 2 February 2015.]
Chapter One
General provisions
Article One – Purpose of this Order
This Order relates to hygiene in beekeeping and modalities for use of toxic substances in beekeeping.Article 2 – Definitions of terms
For the purpose of this Order, the following terms shall have the following meanings:1°Appropriate beesuit: a protective cloth a beekeeper uses as prescribed in the Ministerial instructions relating to positioning of beehives, honey harvesting equipment and issuance of beekeeping certificate;2°Competent authority: veterinary service at the Sector level.Chapter II
Beekeeper hygiene
Article 3 – Washing hands
Before starting any beekeeping activity relating to harvesting, processing and packing of honey, a beekeeper shall wash hands with soap and running water thoroughly well and dry in the open air.Article 4 – Use of a clean appropriate beesuit
Every beekeeper must use a clean beesuit and free from any exposure to other sources of food contamination, bee colonies or any of bee products.Ministerial instructions shall determine the description of the beesuit of the staff in beekeeping activity.Article 5 – Avoid sneezing and coughing over the hive
Every beekeeper must avoid sneezing and coughing over the hive and shall have a suitable method of disposing of body secretions.Article 6 – Non contamination of the honey comb
Every beekeeper must avoid contaminating the honey comb that may be used.Article 7 – Use of clean source of water
A beekeeper must use a clean source of water.Article 8 – Regular washing of the gumboots of the beekeeper
Every beekeeper must wash his/her footwear regularly especially between colony inspections to avoid introduction of any contamination.Chapter III
Hygiene of beehives and other equipment
Section One – Hygiene of beehives
Article 9 – Cleanliness of the beehives
Every beekeeper must always keep clean his/her beehive.Every beekeeper must also scrub the beehives thoroughly well using a wired brush. Components of the beehive must also be washed using appropriate detergent.Empty beehives and replacement parts of the beehives must be disinfected before bees are placed inside.Article 10 – Spilling honey near the beehives
Every beekeeper must avoid spilling honey and its products near the beehives. Leaving honey of any origin where bees can access it is prohibited.Article 11 – Regular inspection of the beehive
Every beekeeper must carry out regular inspections of the beehive to ascertain the condition and needs of the bees.The beekeeper also must inspect the beehive during build-up periods when there is intense activity in the hive.Article 12 – Removal of dirt from the viscinity of the beehives
Every beekeeper must remove all dirt, dustbins and rubbish from the viscinity of the apiary.Article 13 – Use of clean water
Every beekeeper must use clean water for bees and hives. He/she shall also remove stagnant water that bees may access.Section 2 – Hygiene of other beekeeping equipment
Article 14 – Cleaning the gloves
Every beekeeper must wash his/her gloves in soapy water to reduce the risk of spreading infection to bees.Gloves also can be changed if considered necessary.Article 15 – Cleaning the harvesting bucket or any other appropriate equipment
A beekeeper must clean the harvesting bucket or any other appropriate equipment at all times he/she is going to harvest honey.Article 16 – Washing the bee brush
Every beekeeper must wash the bee brush and clean the kit box to avoid honey residues on them which may attract the bees to contaminated places.Article 17 – Protect the equipment from the curiosity of and contact with other bees
Every beekeeper must protect any beekeeping equipment from curiosity and contact with any other bees which may be infected.Article 18 – Burn all the unwanted combs
All unwanted combs or those identified with any infection must be burnt to avoid contamination with honey or any other beekeeping tool.Chapter IV
Modalities for use of toxic substances in beekeeping and prevention of contamination in beekeeping
Section One – Use of toxic substances used in agriculture
Article 19 – Use of toxic substances in beekeeping
Any person who sprays toxic substances used in agriculture must do so only:1°before the flowering period or after flowers have withered away;2°if the bees cannot suffer any harmful effects;3°if the toxic substance may not lead to death of bees;4°if the substance may not intoxicate honey or any other honey product.Article 20 – Seek relevant information before spraying toxic substances
Any person who intends to use a toxic substance shall seek necessary information from relevant authority before spraying the toxic substance.Article 21 – Appropriate time for spraying toxic substances
Without prejudice to provisions of Article 20 of this Order, any person who intends to spray any toxic substance must do so in evening hours during sunset when the bees return to their hives.However, any person who implements provisions of Paragraph One of this Article must always use fewer toxic substances in order to reduce bee mortality.Section 2 – Prevention of contamination in beekeeping
Article 22 – Avoid the usage of used equipment
Every beekeeper must strive to purchase equipment described as follows:1°a new beekeeping equipment in order to avoid using an old equipment;2°a beekeeping equipment which is easy to clean and not difficult to treat in order to prevent spread of disease, pests and virus.Article 23 – Remove infected honey combs
A beekeeper must remove contaminated combs completely by transferring them in one operation to the colonies with disease symptoms.Contaminated honey combs must be burnt.Article 24 – Prevent honey theft
To prevent honey theft by bees, a beekeeper must:1°to remove all pieces of honey laden comb around the apiary;2°to avoid the drying of honey combs;3°to feed properly the bees;4°not to maintain dead bees and weak colonies.Article 25 – Close dead colonies
A beekeeper must close any dead colony so that bees do not enter, and equipment should be destroyed. A beekeeper must separate the diseased colony and healthy colony.Article 26 – Prohibit exhibition of infected honey or any bee product
No person shall be permitted to exhibit honey or any bee product infected with any bee disease or any germs that may spread diseases to bees.Article 27 – Regular inspection
A beekeeper must conduct through inspection of his/her colonies regularly in order to detect early signs of any contagious disease or pests that may attack bees.The beekeeper also must inspect thoroughly every comb that is noticeably weak.Article 28 – Declaration of a contagious disease or other pests
Any beekeeper who notices any signs of any contagious bee disease or any existence of pests that may transmit disease to bees, or any beekeeper who owns infected beekeeping equipment shall immediately declare it to the competent authority.Chapter V
Taken measures in case of suspected or confirmed bee disease
Section One – Taken measures in case of a suspected bee disease
Article 29 – Taken measures in case of suspicion of any contagious disease in a hive
Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 139 of the Law n° 54/2004 of 10/09/2008 determining the prevention and fight against contagious disease for domestic animals in Rwanda, the District Mayor shall, upon proposal by the veterinary service, order the following:1°to identify and examin the bee colonies;2°to take necessary samples for diagnosis by accredited laboratories in order to confirm or reject a suspected bee disease;3°prohibit the introduction of hives whether populated or not, bees, queens, beekeeping equipment and bee products into the suspected apiary;4°collect and burn dead bees;5°to clean and disinfect or destroy all equipment used in the operation of the apiary following an appropriate procedure and using appropriate products;6°to carry out an epidemiological survey.The necessary samples provided for in item 2 of Paragraph One of this Article may be live or dead bees, brood, bee products and beekeeping equipment, as the case may be.Article 30 – Epidemiological investigation
The epidemiological investigation carried out in case of a suspected contagious disease shall address:1°the origin and possible mode of contamination of the apiary;2°the movement of hives, bee colonies, bee products and all beekeeping equipment to or from the infected apiaries;3°the identification of other infection suspected apiaries.Measures mentioned in Paragraph One of this Article shall be lifted if the bee disease is over.Article 31 – Measures taken in case of a confirmed contagious bee disease
In case an accredited laboratory confirms the existence of any contagious bee disease in an area, the Mayor of the District in which the infected area is located, upon proposal by the veterinary service, shall do the following:1°to declare that the area is infected with a contagious bee disease;2°to define the perimeter of the infected area and the number of all infected apiaries in the area;3°to establish a protected zone, depending on the pathogen and a surveillance zone, in which the mentioned measures shall be applicable;4°to apply measures prescribed on the Annex of this Order.Article 32 – Measures taken in a protected zone
The following measures shall be taken in a protected zone:1°to identify and examin apiaries;2°to take samples for a diagnosis of possible presence of a contagious bee disease;3°to prohibit any movement of hives whether populated or not, bees, queens, beekeeping equipment and bee products to or from a protected zone.Article 33 – Measures applicable in the surveillance zone
The following measures shall be taken in surveillance zone:1°to identify the apiaries;2°to prohibit any movement of hives whether populated or not, to or from a surveillance zone.Article 34 – Obligation to be present
The owners of hives or apiaries are required to attend or to be represented at the scheduled visits to provide the officers of sanitary control their collaboration, particularly the opening of hives and to provide the necessary equipment to diagnose the hives.Chapter VI
Final provisions
Article 35 – Repealing provision
All prior provisions contrary to this Order are hereby repealed.Article 36 – Commencement
This Order shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda.History of this document
02 February 2015 this version
Commenced
10 December 2014
Assented to