382 apiaries registered in Sarajevo Canton: Veterinary inspectorate controls

For the early detection and prevention of American foulbrood, the most prevalent infectious bee disease, the Cantonal Veterinary Inspectorate has been conducting intensified inspectional supervision and controls of beekeepers, as well as relevant veterinary organizations in Sarajevo Canton since the beginning of March, reports the BH News Agency Patria.

As part of these activities, veterinarians at the competent veterinary clinics have been instructed to conduct clinical examinations of a total of 382 apiaries, as registered in the Sarajevo Canton, based on data provided by registered beekeeping associations. In case of suspected presence of American foulbrood in the apiaries, samples are ordered to be taken for laboratory testing.

If the owner or keeper of bees refuses to subject the bees to the ordered measures, the competent inspectorate will, within its jurisdiction, take measures prescribed by the Law on Veterinary Affairs of BiH against irresponsible beekeepers. We remind beekeepers that moving bees from one place to another is permitted only if the bees are healthy, i.e., if preventive and diagnostic measures have been carried out in the apiary, which is proven by a certificate of bee health status issued by a veterinarian at the owner's request.

A fine of 430.00 KM is imposed for moving bees without a veterinary certificate, as well as for failing to implement mandatory preventive and diagnostic measures in the spring. In accordance with the relevant regulations, preventive measures in apiaries should be carried out every year in March and April, which is also the deadline for their implementation according to the decisions of the Veterinary Inspectorate. 

We call on all bee keepers and other persons to report any cases of abandoned apiaries to the Veterinary Inspectorate, as they can be a source of infection for apiaries in the vicinity. American foulbrood of bee brood, along with brucellosis of small ruminants, is the most prevalent infectious animal disease in Sarajevo Canton. For this reason, we remind beekeepers to immediately report any changes that may indicate this disease (weakening of the colony, reduced honey yield, deaths, etc.) to the nearest veterinary station.