ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

SECTION

1.        Short title

2.        Importation of bees without permission prohibited

3.        Steps which may be taken to inspect, disinfect or destroy bees and apiaries

4.        President may make regulations

5.        Penalty

6.        Introduction of bees from other countries

Proc. 17, 1910,
Cap. 110, 1948,
Cap. 136, 1959,
HMC Order 1, 1965,
L.N. 84, 1966.

An Act to prevent the introduction of the disease amongst bees known as "foul brood".

[Date of Commencement: 14th April, 1910]

1.       Short title

            This Act may be cited as the Importation of Bees Act.

2.       Importation of bees without permission prohibited

            No person shall import or cause to be imported into Botswana-

     (a)     bees from any place without the written permission of the President; or

     (b)     from any place other than the Republic of South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland, honey in combs or extracted beeswax foundation comb, used beehives or used beehive accessories or appliances, or anything that has been used to contain or manipulate bees or beeswax.

3.       Steps which may be taken to inspect, disinfect or destroy bees and apiaries

            The President, any administrative officer or any other person authorized by the President may-

     (a)     inspect any consignment of bees imported under the permission aforesaid;

     (b)     inspect any consignment reasonably suspected of containing anything imported in contravention of this Act or the regulations made under it;

     (c)     inspect any apiary or place where bees are kept;

     (d)     inspect any honey or beeswax which is intended for sale;

     (e)     cause to be cleaned, disinfected or destroyed, any apiary or place where bees are kept if disease is found to exist therein; and

     (f)      cause to be destroyed any bees, honey or anything else imported in contravention of this Act or the regulations made under it or found to be affected with disease.

4.       President may make regulations

            The President may make regulations prescribing-

     (a)     the form and conditions of applications for and issue of permissions under section 2, and the particulars to be stated in such applications;

     (b)     the conditions for importation of bees from any place and of honey, beeswax and foundation comb from the Republic of South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland; and

     (c)     the mode of cleaning or disinfecting or destroying apiaries and places where bees are kept,

and generally for the better carrying out of the objects and purposes of this Act.

5.       Penalty

            Any person who contravenes any provision of this Act or the regulations made under it, or who interferes with or obstructs any person exercising the powers conferred by section 3 shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding P100, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to both.

6.       Introduction of bees from other countries

            (1) The President may by order published in the Gazette declare that section 2(a) shall not apply in respect of the importation from the Republic of South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland of bees native of that country if there is in force in that country a law prescribing a penalty not less than that provided in section 5 for the importation of bees (except under permission) from any place into that country.

            (2) If disease exists among bees in a country in respect of which the powers mentioned in subsection (1) have been exercised the President may revoke such order, and thereupon the provisions of section 2(a) shall apply in respect of such country.

            (3) If disease exists among bees in the Republic of South Africa, Lesotho or Swaziland the President may by order in the Gazette extend the prohibitions contained in section 2(b) to importations from such country.