Bees Act 1980

The Bees Act 1980
Dates
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long title	An Act to make new provision for the control of pests and diseases affecting bees.
Citation	1980 c.12
Territorial extent	England and Wales; Scotland
Royal assent	20 March 1980
Commencement	20 March 1980
Status: Current legislation
Text of the Bees Act 1980 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk

The Bees Act 1980 (citation 1980 c.12) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.

Powers

If the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (post now replaced by the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales all agree and decide jointly that a threat is posed to the health of bees, they may prohibit the transportation into or around the United Kingdom of bees, honeycomb, beehives or anything connected with beekeeping. They may appoint any person (in writing) they choose to seize and examine bees for disease.

Any bees found to be diseased may be destroyed if the inspector sees fit. Bees or related equipment imported into Britain may also be destroyed at the discretion of government officials. No compensation is available for those whose bees are destroyed. Any expenses incurred during this process were to be compensated by Parliament.

Power of forced entry was also given to officials who suspect diseased bees to be on the premises ("any premises or other place, or any vessel, boat, hovercraft, aircraft or other vehicle").

Offences

It was made an offence to transport bees into or around Britain while the Act was in force - either by importing them, or by failing to cooperate with government orders. A maximum fine of £1,000 was introduced for committing this offence.^[1]

Any person who refused government officials entry to any premises or other place, or any vessel, boat, hovercraft, aircraft or other vehicle which was suspected to harbour diseased bees was to be charged with obstruction of justice and fined up to £200.

Application

The Act does not extend to Northern Ireland.

Powers under this act are now devolved to the Welsh Assembly, under The National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 2004.

References

External links

Text of the Bees Act 1980 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk
The Devil's Advocate: Beware the Bees Act

United Kingdom legislation

Pre-Parliamentary legislation	List of English statutes Charter of Liberties Magna Carta

Acts of Parliament by states preceding the Kingdom of Great Britain	Acts of the Parliament of England to 1483 1485–1601 1603–1641 Interregnum (1642–1660) 1660–1699 1700–1706 Acts of the Parliament of Scotland

Acts of Parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain	1707–1719 1720–1739 1740–1759 1760–1779 1780–1800

Acts of the Parliament of Ireland	to 1700 1701–1800

Acts of Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	1801–1819 1820–1839 1840–1859 1860–1879 1880–1899 1900–1919 1920–1939 1940–1959 1960–1979 1980–1999 2000 to date Halsbury's Statutes Legislation.gov.uk Short titles

Church of England measures	List Church of England Assembly (Powers) Act 1919

Legislation of devolved institutions	Acts of the Scottish Parliament List Acts and Measures of the National Assembly for Wales List Acts of the Northern Ireland Assembly List Acts of the Parliament of Northern Ireland List Orders in Council for Northern Ireland List

Orders-in-Council	Order in Council

Secondary legislation	United Kingdom Statutory Instruments Scottish Statutory Instruments Acts of Sederunt Acts of Adjournal

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