Beekeeper registration

All owners of honey bees and/or used beekeeper equipment must register with the provincial apiculturist every year.

All beekeeper registration approvals expire on June 29 each year.

Overview

Beekeeper registration is mandatory in Alberta, set out in the Alberta Bee Act and its regulation. The registration approval is valid from the time it is issued to the following June 29.

Your beekeeper registration information is used for monitoring diseases and pests to ensure healthy honey bees. It also keeps industry statistics up to date.

Registration submission

If you are planning to purchase honey bees or used equipment for the first time, see, Purchasing honey bees or equipment in Alberta: questions to ask and things to consider.

For detailed instructions about registration, see How to Register as a Beekeeper in Alberta.

Step 1. Complete and submit the form

Complete the Beekeeper Registration form. To get a form:

Online portalHard copy

Alberta Beekeeper Registration

  • Fill out the web form and submit online.
Available upon request.
Beekeepers will be able to provide registrations, communicate with the Bee Health Assurance Team and manage relevant beekeeper information through a secure online portal.

Hard copy fillable forms are available by contacting the Bee Health Assurance Team via email: [email protected]

Your request will be added to a mailing list.

  • The Bee Health Assurance Team will provide you with relevant registration information.

Step 2. After you apply

After sending in your registration form, Bee Health Assurance staff may contact you to verify your information.

Once your registration is processed, the team will send you a registration approval with a beekeeper registration number and an expiry date of June 29 the following year.

Registration renewal and updates

Renewals: beekeepers are required to renew their registration annually or for any major changes during the current registration year. To renew your registration, see Registration submission above.

Updates: send all applicable registration updates to the Bee Health Assurance Team by:

Registration deactivations

Registration is required and important – used beekeeper equipment (hive boxes/frames) can harbour diseases and pests for many years even when honey bees are not present.

If you no longer own beekeeper equipment or honey bee colonies, we will need the following information to remove you from our database:

  • The name of who you sold or gave the colonies or used equipment to, or what was done with the used hive boxes and frames.

Send deactivation information to the Bee Health Assurance Team by:

Once we receive this information, your beekeeper registration will be deactivated. If you still own used equipment, you are required to register annually.

Premises Identification Number

The Premises Identification (PID) Number is provided through Alberta’s traceability program and is separate from the Bee Health Assurance program. Beekeepers need a PID Number to access medications for honey bee diseases and pests. Register with the animal Premises Identification Program.

Contact

Connect with the Bee Health Assurance Team:

Hours: 8 am to 4 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-644-8746
Fax: 780-422-6096
Email: [email protected]

Mail:
Bee Health Assurance Team
Crop Diversification Centre North
17507 Fort Road NW
Edmonton, Alberta  T5Y 6H3

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