Pafos Live 23 March 2024
No spraying of bee-toxic preparations is allowed at the flowering stage, says the Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, as part of the awareness campaign for the protection of bees and other pollinators and in view of the flowering of fruit trees, as well as the transport of beehives near tree or other crops.
In a statement, it is stated that it is necessary to read carefully the label of the plant protection product before its application, in order to protect bees. Failure to comply with these instructions constitutes a violation according to the Plant Protection Products Law of 2011.
In addition, it notes that all professional users of plant protection products (farmers, gardeners, municipal workers, etc.) are obliged to inform potentially affected beekeepers before starting any spraying, so that they can take the necessary risk mitigation measures.
It is reminded that beekeepers have the obligation to indicate in each apiary their name, address and/or telephone number (optional). Also, on the back of each hive there must be the appropriate marking, as defined by the Department of Agriculture (Initials District L, LE, LA, P, A – Beekeeping Register No. – Hive No.) for easy identification and identification of the holder: e.g. L – 155 – 10.
In cases where the removal of the apiary from the area for any reason is required, the relevant District Agricultural Office must be immediately informed of the relevant marking indicated on the hives or apiary, in order to identify the owner of the hives.
For further information, interested parties can contact the following telephone numbers. For the Plant Protection and Beekeeping Branch: 22408521, 22408530, for the Nicosia District Agricultural Office: 22819704, for the Limassol District Agricultural Office: 25803900, for the Larnaka District Agricultural Office: 24202840, for the Famagusta District Agricultural Office: 23812130, for the Paphos District Agricultural Office: 26804601 and for the Pitsilia District Agricultural Office: 25874031.
