Beekeeping

Becoming a producer

Now that you have set up your apiary, you need to set up essential registrations, insurances, and other administration before you can run an official beekeeping business.

Good record-keeping is key to successful beekeeping, and you should keep records of routine hive inspections, insurances and risk assessments. You’re legally required to keep financial records as a business, as well as record of any medicine administered to the bees (read more in ‘Bee Health’).  

Hive registration

You do not need a licence to keep bees, but you should create an account on BeeBase to register your hives. BeeBase is the National Bee Unit’s website, which you can use to record your hives and access information about pests and disease. It is best practice for record-keeping, which is also essential for getting certified organic. 

Membership

Membership of the Scottish Beekeepers’ Association (SBA) or the Bee Farmers Association (BFA) is recommended to stay up to date with latest news and training in the sector, as well as other benefits such as insurance.

Insurance & risk

It is essential to get public liability and product liability insurances to cover other people getting injured because of your operations or produce. Compensation insurance in case of equipment or colonies being damaged is also recommended, and you may also want to consider income protection/personal accident insurances. Liability and compensation insurances are most easily acquired as part of your SBA or BFA membership. For a useful overview of health and safety information for apiary visits, see this SBA sheet.

Setting up your business 

If you earn more than £1,000 per year from beekeeping, you will need to register as a sole trader, or set up a business partnership or limited company. You will also need to pay income tax on your profits and keep records. You might also want to draft a business plan to keep track of your accounts – this guide by the Landworkers’ Alliance is a good starting point.

Registering as a food business

To sell honey – whether at farm gate, a farmers’ marker, or via retail – you need to register as a food business at least 28 days before you start trading. This is free, and you can do it via your local authority. You can find more information on the Food Standards Scotland website here.

Food safety

A Level 2 food hygiene certificate is recommended for being compliant with food safety regulations and can be achieved online. You may also want to develop a simple food safety management system, for which the Food Standards Agency’s MyHACCP is a useful free tool. 

Organic certification

To get your products certified as organic, you will need to apply with one of the Government-approved control bodies and follow their process.