Regulation on Apiculture.

The present Regulation provides for all activities regarding apiculture, including research, breeding, classifying, protecting and genetic improvement techniques, and the importation of breeds. Itinerant apiculturists could only temporarily settle at pre-determined areas identified and arranged for by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Such apiculturists must present to the Ministry their Apiculturist ID and veterinary health certificate for his/her colonies, and the agreement he/she concluded with the owner of the corresponding land. Procedures are given in details. Honeycomb standards are specified in the Regulation and must conform to Honey Regulation of the Turkish Food Codex. Apiculturists must be issued a permit by Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for artificial insemination. Queen bee breeding procedures are detailed in an order issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. Production, importation and exportation of related veterinary products are subject to Law No 3285 on Livestock Health and Enforcement Agency and to current legislation regarding import-export activities. Management plans of forest areas dedicated to honey production, duration, conditions, number of beehives to be placed, etc., are determined jointly by the Ministry and by regional forestry directorates. The Regulation has also provisions regarding pesticides used in the proximity of beehives and imposes measures to protect apiculturists from being affected by them..