Statutory Instruments
2021 No. 420
Bee Diseases, England
The Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) (Amendment) Order 2021
Made 29th March 2021
Laid before Parliament 30th March 2021
Coming into force 21st April 2021

The Secretary of State makes the following Order in exercise of the powers conferred by section 1 of the Bees Act 1980.
1980 c. 12. The functions of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales under section 1 were, so far as exercisable in relation to Scotland, transferred to the Scottish Ministers by section 53 of the Scotland Act. The functions of the Secretary of State for Wales under section 1 were, so far as exercisable in relation to Wales, transferred to the National Assembly for Wales (Transfer of Functions) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/672). The remaining functions of the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Secretary of State for Wales under section 1 were transferred to the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by the Transfer of Functions (Agriculture and Food) Order 1999 (S.I. 1999/3141). The functions of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under section 1 were transferred to the Secretary of State by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Dissolution) Order 2002 (S.I. 2002/794).

Citation and commencement
1. This Order may be cited as the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) (Amendment) Order 2021 and comes into force on 21st April 2021.

Amendment to the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006
2. In the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006, after article 3 insert—

“Reporting of Varroa mite (Varroosis)
3A. (1) An owner or person in charge of a hive who knows that any species of the Varroa mite (Varroosis) is present within that hive must give notice of that fact to the Secretary of State as soon as is practicable.
(2) Any other person who discovers in the course of his occupation the presence of the Varroa mite (Varroosis) in a hive, must give notice of that fact to the Secretary of State as soon as is practicable.
(3) A person who gives notice under this article in respect of a hive is not required to give further notices in respect of other hives at the same location.”.

S.I. 2006/342, amended by S.I. 2010/2363.
Gardiner of Kimble
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
29th March 2021

EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order amends the Bee Diseases and Pests Control (England) Order 2006 (S.I. 2006/342) to add notification requirements in respect of the presence in a hive of the Varroa mite (Varroosis).
By virtue of section 1(7)(c) of the Bees Act 1980 (c. 12), breach of any provision of the Order constitutes an offence punishable on summary conviction by an unlimited fine.
An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no impact, or no significant impact, on the private, voluntary or public sector is foreseen.