Honey Bees Policy

Kettering Allotment Society

Honey Bees Policy 

Rule 80 in the Tenancy Agreement:

Written permission must be received from the field steward before any bees or hives are brought onto allotment land. Bees may only be kept if the tenant is a registered member of the BBKA (British BeeKeepers' Association). The restrictions and requirements listed in the Bee Keeping Guidelines must be adhered to. This includes displaying your current telephone number on the noticeboard, in case of swarming.

Policy

1. Written permission must be received from the field steward before any bees or hives are brought onto allotment land.

2. Bees may only be kept if the tenant is a paid-up, registered member of the BBKA (British BeeKeepers' Society).

3. BBKA membership will cover the bee-keeper with public liability insurance. 

4. Hives can only be installed once the BBKA membership card has been shown to the Field Steward or Committee Secretary and agreed siting of the hives has been approved by the committee. 

5. The siting of hives is complex and due consideration must be given to neighbours and the location of hedges to avoid distress to any neighbours. Detailed negotiations will be needed before hives are located and permission is granted. Many, if not most, plots are unsuitable locations for honey bee hives.

6. The bee-keeper's up to date contact details must be displayed on a notice on the plot in case of swarming. Details be displayed of a secondary contact in case of illness, holiday, other reason?

7. Guidance may need to be sought from the National Allotment Society or the BBKA if there are concerns about the possible location of hives.  

8. Evidence of experience or formal qualification in beekeeping will also be required.