Please note The Bee Effect does not support agriculture that is not pursing the elimination of chemical pesticides. This charter outline is simply here as a support to beekeepers in dealing with the general use of highly hazardous pesticides. We do not advocate this as a solution for the future sustainability of honey bees or health for people and the environment.
This section represents the foundation elements of a charter to promote honey bee safety. As a best practice guideline, it outlines what most charters and bee protection guides (and manuals) have detailed through various initiatives globally. For South Africa, this charter was developed by the beekeeping industry and grower bodies, which they have adopted and recognized towards building relations for the protection of our bees.
This consists of two parts, actions by growers and crop protection agencies, and then commitments from pollinators and bee farmers.
Only recommend and apply pesticides when necessary
Avoid pesticide recommendation or application when bees are foraging
Avoid application during flowering / pollination periods
Avoid using products that have long periods of residual activity that may be toxic to bees, especially during flowering
MORE ABOUT IPM FOR HONEY BEESOnly recommend and apply registered pesticides (under Act 36 of 1947) as prescribed by the label
REFER TO AGRI-INTEL FOR UPDATED LABEL INFORMATION AND MOREPay particular attention to warnings and precautions regarding pollinators on product labels
Use the recommended dose rate
Use products according to registered application methods
Only recommend aerial application when necessary and adhere to the Aerial Application Code of Conduct
Do not apply pesticides when there is a danger of drift onto non-target areas
Recommend and use drift-reduction application equipment and methods
Ensure that application equipment is properly maintained and calibrated
NOT SURE WHAT ACTIVE INGREDIENTS ARE BAD FOR BEES & OTHER POLLINATORS? CLICK HERE FOR AN EASY TO FIND GLOBALLY ACCREDITED LISTEnsure that dust (resulting from treated seed) minimising measures are introduced according to the CropLife SA and SANSOR guidelines. This includes:
Pour treated seeds carefully out of bags
Do not shake dust or loose material from the bag
Ensure that seeding machinery is properly calibrated and maintained to minimise dust losses
Recommend seed film coatings that minimise dust
Avoid spillage of treated seed and clean up spills
Dispose of bags and other waste (including unused seed) properly
Avoid contamination when cleaning equipment
Take care when mixing and loading spray equipment
Ensure proper disposal of waste and used material
Clean up all spills
Avoid contamination when cleaning equipment
Crop advisers must participate in, and comply with, the CropLife SA continuous professional development (CPD) programme and growers must insist on using a CropLife SA accredited crop adviser.
REFER TO CROPLIFE WEBSITEAvoid spraying when bees are foraging unless absolutely necessary and only with products which are explicitly designed for bee-safe application during flowering:
Minimise sprays during the flowering period
Sprays should preferably be applied after dusk
Growers must control weeds in orchards before the weeds bloom to avoid bee-toxic herbicides impacting on foraging bees
Enter into a contractual agreement for pollination services or at least a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the commercial beekeeper
Notify the beekeeper when an application is planned
Highlight the planned spray programme when giving permission for beekeepers to put out their hives
Only allow beekeepers who have your permission to place beehives on your property; discourage vagrant beekeeping
Maintain compliance with statutory requirements in terms of Control Measure R858 Relating to Honeybees
Register annually with DALRRD inspection services
Mark all beehives with the DALRRD registration number
Maintain proper records of all beekeeping activities
Conduct regular inspections of beehives to ensure sound beekeeping management practices
SUMMARY OF THE CONTROL MEASURESBe a member of SABIO or a local beekeeper association
Adhere to pollination guidelines as drafted by an organised industry body where applicable
Allow SABIO or local beekeeping association to assist in communicating to the pollinator/grower details regarding the placement of marked beehives on landowner’s property
CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ON SABIO, REGISTRATION AND MORE SOUTH AFRICAN BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATIONS AND CONTACT DEETSEnter into a contractual agreement or at least a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for pollination services with the grower
CHAT TO YOUR LOCAL BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATION FOR CONTRACT TEMPLATESNotify growers formally when hives are placed on or close to their property
Request a copy of the grower’s proposed spray programme
Do not place beehives on landowner’s/grower’s property without their permission
Introduce precautionary measures to avoid the poisoning of hives
Ensure that local farmers and landowners are aware of your night movements
Respect the pollination arrangements between other pollinators and growers; do not encroach on others’ contractual arrangements
Liaise with other pollinators known to be operating on other farms
When placing hives for pollination, ensure that healthy colonies are placed in orchards and fields
Ensure healthy queens with good brood patterns are utilised
Do not introduce diseased or contaminated colonies into pollination areas
Remove and replace any diseased or contaminated colonies during the pollination contract period
Do not overwork hives
CHECK OUT OUR LIST OF CURRENT HAZARDOUS PESTICIDE INGREDIENTS BAD 4 BEESOnly utilise strong, non-leaking beehives of Langstroth brood chamber design when providing pollination services
Ensure suitable internal spacing requirements to reduce swarming tendency during pollination period
Inspect bee activity regularly during pollination period
Keep growers regularly informed and address any concerns during pollination period
We engaged with HORTGRO and Dr Tlou Masehela to finalise this easy reference section to support your pollination practice.
It is by no means exhaustive & we encourage you to expand on this in your partnerships as is applicable, with consultation with SABIO and or your local beekeeping association.
HORTGRO focus on production, research and technology, communication, markets, and transformation within the deciduous fruit industry, with a fascinating history that goes back to the first ships from the Dutch East India Company in 1652.
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Dr Masehela holds a PhD in Entomology from Stellenbosch University, and is a published scientist whose work on honey bees is well respected in the industry. His work and interests cover apiculture, crop pollination, conservation and biosafety.
Tlou consults to The Bee Effect and our project partners on all aspects pertaining to honey bees & honey bee forage.
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