Apply for this licence
You must notify the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) if you import honeybees into Northern Ireland.
How to apply
Download the notification form from the DARD website. The form must arrive at DARD at least 1 working day before the arrival of the bees.
Conditions
You must have a health certificate from the bees’ country of origin. Each queen bee must be contained in a single cage and accompanied by no more than 20 attendant worker bees. You must keep records of where the imported queen bees, bee packages or hives are kept or sent.
You must keep the records and the health certificate for 3 years from the date of import and make them available for inspection.
Honey bees imported from approved non-EU countries must enter via approved border inspection posts for bees at either Heathrow or Gatwick airport in England.You must notify the divisional veterinary manager at the relevant airport.
Fines and penalties
You could be fined up to £5,000 if you import honey bees without notifying DARD.