Bihusasyn - Saljsida

Beekeeper inspecting a hive framework with bees

Housekeeper

We all strive to maintain a healthy beekeeping operation that complies with laws and regulations. One way to ensure this is by conducting our own self-monitoring checks.

In Sweden, we have a self-monitoring system developed to ensure that beekeeping follows legal standards and regulations. This control system is called Hive Inspection (Bihusesyn).

The hive inspection serves as a guide and tool for beekeepers to keep track of the requirements for safe and regulatory-compliant beekeeping.

The control system contains the legislation that is most relevant to us as beekeepers in Sweden.

When all beekeepers perform hive inspections, we contribute to raising the overall standard of Swedish beekeeping as a whole.

A Free Course in Housekeeper

What does hive inspection mean, why do we do it, and how does it work? You will learn about this and a little more in this free course.

Intro

Course Introduction

Have you just started beekeeping, or is it your first time conducting a hive inspection? This is the course for you. In this module, you will find structural layouts and general information.

Why

Why We Inspect Hives

Why do we perform the "Hive Inspection" self-monitoring checks in our apiaries? What would happen if we didn't conduct these checks? What could this mean for the beekeeper and for the country?

How

How to Do a Hive Inspection

How do you actually carry out a self-monitoring check, and what is included in a so-called "Hive Inspection"? If you have never done an inspection before, we will guide you every step of the way so you can feel secure in how we as beekeepers inspect our apiaries.

Environmental & Health Protection

Here you will learn how to handle and store chemical and health-hazardous products within your beekeeping setup.

Producer Responsibility

In module two, you will learn about the responsibilities you hold regarding collection and tracking guidelines.

Work Environment

Your safety is important. Within beekeeping, there is a variety of protective equipment that is highly useful to keep track of.

Food safety

Knowledge of honey handling and hygiene contributes to high food safety. Module 4 gives you the knowledge you need to feel confident that you are doing the right thing and contributing to high food safety.

Materials, equipment and premises

As a new beekeeper, it is good to have knowledge about materials and equipment as it creates good conditions for honey handling that is food-safe.

Marking

Creating labels is both exciting and fun for a beekeeper and many have their own. Here you will find information on how to comply with legal requirements for the label on your honey packaging.

Traceability

There are laws that govern the traceability of food. Traceability is important for, among other things, being able to recall a product that does not meet the standards. In module 7 you will learn what applies.

Bee disease legislation

The Bee Disease Act is one of the most important legal requirements to keep track of, as bee diseases can be very destructive for the beekeeper. The right knowledge ensures the right and good treatment.

Control measures

Most beekeepers ensure that varroa mites are kept at a low level in the hive. In Module 9 we will go through control measures and recommendations for this.

Safe storage

Safe storage of equipment reduces predatory behavior in bees and reduces the risk of spreading infection. In module 10 we go through recommendations on how to store your equipment.

Line-up

Apiary buildings are beautiful, but there are also legal requirements we need to follow. In module 11 we will go through the legal requirements and recommendations for setting up beehives.

Documentation

Tips and Ideas about documentation. Keeping track of everything we do around and in our beekeeping is also an important part. Sometimes it can be nice to follow a good concept that works. In this module we share our tips.

Inspiration

Beekeeping Location & Surroundings

Safe beekeeping is vital and meaningful for many different reasons. Once you have reviewed the recommendations that create a safe beekeeping environment that complies with legal requirements, all the fun parts remain to be sorted out—such as the surroundings, choice of plants, the apiary itself, and other exciting things.

Following the course, a couple of modules filled with inspiration await you as a beekeeper!

Placement of Hives

Placing your hives so that it is optimal for the bees is a balance we manage alongside legal requirements. If we ask experienced beekeepers, we often get the answer that it is all about the sun's position throughout the seasons, wind directions, or other exciting factors.

About Bee Plants

Bee-friendly plants are what our bees live on. Around our apiary, we plant different types of vegetation that benefit the biodiversity of pollinators, simply because we love it when it is beautifully in bloom.

Buzzing Network

Having someone to ask is always fantastic when you are a new beekeeper. There are many things you can encounter in your beekeeping that require answers from someone who already knows... that way, knowledge spreads, and that is why we want to recommend networks!

Knowledge creates security

We make the rules simple, so you can do what's fun - Biodla

Kunskapen i gratiskursen lutar sig mot lagar och regler samt biodlarnas dokument "Bihusesyn" för dig som biodlare. Är du nybliven biodlare kan det vara intressant att kolla igenom kursen innan det är dags för dig att göra ddin egen bihusesyn. Lista över lagar, förordningar, föreskrifter, riktlinjer samt all allmänna råd som Bihusesynen hänvisar till finner du nedan.

Environmental & Health Protection Legislation

KIFS 2017:7, The Swedish Chemicals Agency's regulations on chemical products and biotechnical organisms.

KIFS 2008:3, The Swedish Chemicals Agency's regulations on pesticides.

SFS 2018:1462, Ordinance on producer responsibility for packaging.

Work Environment Legislation

AFS 1998:6, The Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations on pesticides and general advice on the application of the regulations.

AFS 2014:43, The Swedish Work Environment Authority's regulations on chemical work environment risks and general advice on the application of the regulations.

SFS 1977:1160, The Work Environment Act.

Food Legislation

LIVSFS 2003:10, The National Food Agency's regulations on honey.

LIVSFS 2014:4, The National Food Agency's regulations on the labeling and presentation of food.

LIVSFS 2005:20, Regulations on food hygiene (EC) 1169/2011.

Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council

(EC)178/2002; Traceability Regulation

Bee Diseases Legislation

SFS 1974:211, Bee Diseases Act.

SFS 1974:212, Bee Diseases Ordinance.

SFS 1994:1830, Ordinance on the import of live animals etc.

SJVFS 1999:134, The Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations on veterinary controls of live animals imported from a third country to the European Union (EU) and to Norway.

SJVFS 2004:19, The Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations on the import and export of products of animal origin and other products that can spread infectious diseases to animals.

SJVFS 2008:46, Regulations amending the Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations on the import of animals, semen, eggs, and embryos.

SJVFS 2018:47, Regulations amending the Swedish Board of Agriculture's regulations.

SJVFS 2021:6, on control of American foulbrood, varroa mites, and tropilaelaps mites in bees.

Industry Guidelines

Safe Honey – Your opportunity to quality assure your honey production. This way, your customers can always feel confident that what you deliver holds the highest standard!

Regulations, Laws and Ordinances

All regulations, laws, or ordinances are available to download or read online via official government portals.

Laptop display presenting premium honey flowing into a ceramic bowl

Necessary Knowledge

The Beekeeper Course!

A course for those who want to be in control and get things right!

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Access the free course

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"It feels great to know exactly what to do before I stand in the apiary and go through my hives. The course gave me peace of mind and simple instructions on how to do it, while simultaneously explaining why it is vital that I do exactly what is required in the self-monitoring check."

Sofia R. Engvall

New Beekeeper

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