Bees (apiculture)
Last updated on January 9, 2024Apiculture is the management and study of honeybees. Beekeeping plays a key role in the production of most fruit and forage crops. British Columbia monitors for bee diseases and pests through bee inspections and the delivery of educational services, including beekeeping courses. A full range of laboratory diagnostic services are also available.
Food for bees
The Food For Bees initiative promotes the planting of bee forage on public and private lands, to support wild pollinator populations. View suggested bee forage plants.
Bee business management
Many factors need to be considered in starting a beekeeping business. A guide for agricultural producers is available, which will provide a good starting point to assist with preparing a formal business plan (PDF, 449KB) for your own operation.
It is recommended to outline expectations at the beginning of crop pollination agreements with a crop pollination contract (PDF, 63KB)
The B.C. Government offers a range of programs to help producers mitigate risk.
Apiculture staff and apiary inspectors
Beekeeping (apiary) in British Columbia consists of a small network of beekeeping professionals. Apiculture staff and Inspectors are available to answer questions and arrange for site inspections. Find provincial apiculturists and apiary inspectors by region.
Beekeeping bulletins
Beekeeping bulletins offer information about all facets of beekeeping management. View beekeeping bulletins.
Surveys and statistics
Surveys are collected bi-annually to monitor the health of beekeeping in the province. The information collected is available in annual statistical reports:
It is a legislated requirement that anyone keeping bees in B.C. and the apiary (hive) locations must be registered with a premises identification [click on beekeeper registration].