ORGANIC STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES IN ORGANIC APICULTURE
Ulrich Broeker, APICON, Germany

Organic Apiculture – The Quality Alternative
presentation and copyright by APICON

CONTENTS

• organic core issues and terms
• the organic approach
• organic focus and objectives
• organic apiculture basic principles
• marks of quality
• conversion issues
• legal norms and guidelines
• inspection and certification
• EU organic legislation, association standards, forms and questionnaires

Downloads

 Annex A: Inspection report (draft) for organic apiaries (144kb .pdf file)

 Annex B: Manual for organic certification for small holder groups (draft) (340kb .pdf file)

 Annex C: Sample documents (524kb .pdf file)

KEY TERMS IN ORGANIC PRODUCTION

• quality
• relations
• diversity
• balances
• transparency
• regional differences
• long-term perspectives
• purity / genuineness
• appreciation
• sensitivity

THE ORGANIC APPROACH

Basic reflections – why decide on 'organic'?

• individual conviction, ethic understanding
• result of observations and experiences with conventional and organic products and production systems
• economic incentive

Legislation on organic apiculture

Definition of 'organic' by national legal frameworks including
obligatory guidelines (e.g. EU 2092/91 since 1991) for

• production
• producers
• processing
• ex-/importers
• distributors
• use of designation 'organic'
• certification

LEGAL ORGANIC NORMS AND GUIDELINES

EUROPEAN UNION regulation 2092/91, 1804/1999

USA NOP = National Organic Programme

JAPAN JAS = Japanese Agricultural Standard

Switzerland, Israel, Argentina, Czech Republic, Hungary, Australia have set up organic regulations that are considered equivalent to the EU-norms

Private association standards (umbrella: IFOAM)

DEMETER   NATURLAND   KRAV   SOIL ASSOCIATION   BIOSUISSE

National decrees on quality parameters, hygiene, residues etc.

 

Organic focus and objectives

• conservation and protection of biosphere
• maintaining biodiversity
• sustainability in economical, ecological and social relations
• preservation of traditional resources, knowledge and skills
• food safety in quantity and quality
• wholesome nutrition, diversity, food as remedy

Organic apiculture aims at the realization of organic principles

Principles of organic production in apiculture

• Enhancing diversity
  - wide range of food sources
  - genetic diversity
  - product diversity
  
  
• Harmonic use of environment
  
  - organic apiculture is compatible with other production systems
    (livestock, agrocultivation)
  
  
• Long-term perspectives
  
  
• Husbandry according to bee‘s essential needs and well-being
  
  - beekeeping practice aims first at bee's vitality and health
  
  
• Careful and considerate handling and treatment
  
  - preservation of genuine, original properties and characteristics
  
  
• Preference of internal cycles instead of external inputs
  
  - economical incentive, quality control
  
  
• Use of local resources
  
  - supporting local economy, avoiding imports
  
  
• Reduction of non-renewable resources / avoiding pollution
  
  - environmental care

Apicultural production system

Quality building economical, ecological and social references and relations

 

Marks of premium quality in apiculture as a result of connected characteristics

Premium quality = sum of premium qualities of available

• natural resources: nectar, pollen, water
• production means and methods
• processing techniques
• product standards
• food safety
• beneficial and lasting effects
• positive environmental impact
• meeting consumer‘s interests
• reasonable relation of price and performance

Increasing threats for bees

• Declining habitats
• Mono-cultural farming / GMO
• Use of pesticides
• Pests and diseases
• Breeding: focus is on the demands of people and not bees

GOING ORGANIC - THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS

• Certainty about the organic potential of the enterprise
  
  Evaluation / inventory of capacities considering
  - motivation, professionalism
  - human, natural, structural, financial resources
  - availability of equipment, material, substances
  - identification of risks (cost estimation, calculation)
  - access to vocational training (qualification, exchange of experience)
  - support opportunities (public advisory service, subsidies)
  - market analysis and access
  
  
• Choice of a certifying agency: conclusion of an agreement / contracting
  
• Systematic action: setup of an agenda following the general conditions:
  
  
• inclusion of the whole enterprise with all units
• in case of gradual conversion: conversion plan and schedule
• adherence to the guidelines throughout the conversion period
• documentation of operator profile and history
  
  
• Feeding
  - ensure provision with organic honey or sugar
  - remove not allowed substances (e.g. protein sub.)
  
  
• Pest / disease treatment
  - stop application and remove chemotherapeutical - medicaments, apply substances in conformity with guidelines (organic acids, essential oils)
  
  
• Working methods
  - no clipping of queens' wings
  - not killing bees to increase crop quantity, removal of drones only to control
    Varroa infestation
  - exchange of queens is allowed
  - no use of chemical repellents
  - no use of synthetic hive protection (varnish)
  
  
• Equipment
  - observe hygienic measures
  - use of food-proof material (INOX), wax-coating (organic!) in case of non-availability
    for extractors, uncapping devices, containers
  
  
• Identification
  - setup apiary register
  - fix obvious hive marks to indicate ownership
  - inform control body in case of migration or change of location
  
  
• Product
  - 'best practice' in withdrawal of honey combs, food-grade tools
  
  
• Handling
  - equipment and workrooms (bee-escape, hygiene, humidity!)
  - check quality parameters (water content)
  - storage conditions: dark, cool, dry
  
  
• Documentation
  - stock inventory / apiary mapping
  - migration
  - feeding, treatment, harvest (purchase receipts)
  
  
• Labelling
  - understandability of product origin, meeting legal requirements

GENERAL INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS

• inspector's competence
• producer's co-operation
• preparation for inspection
• appropriate schedule
• understandable documentation and accounts
• access to all enterprise units on demand
• identification of all productive elements and products
• reporting / assessment of compliance
• documentation of deviations, conditions,
• sanctions, suggestions
• routine or spontaneous sampling for analysis

Inspection tour of the enterprise

Visiting

• office(s)
• apiaries
• processing rooms
• storage rooms
• subcontractor‘s unit (if applicable)

Obligatory detailed review of

• criticized conditions of last year
• implementation of amendments
• changes in the unit description
• subcontracts

Spot-checking

• locations & surroundings
• foraging resources / migration records
• colonies
• hive material & tools
• harvesting equipment
• transport and storage conditions
• stock of product, fodder,
• medicaments and wax, hygiene
• maintenance products/tools
• balance check with documentation
• demarcation to conventional units
• application of lot-number system
• traceability of product/production chain
• sampling (routine or in case of suspect)

THE INSPECTION REPORT

informs about all findings relevant to the relevant organic regulations

As a visit of a few hours cannot cover all aspects thoroughly, the focus of inquiries will differ from inspection to inspection, e.g.:

• documentation, traceability of products, visits of apiaries, check of in - and
• outgoing material, labelling, separation measures etc.

Where findings are difficult to be documented by ticks a short text about the specific issue can be helpful for the certifying agency, so is a note about the overall impression of the enterprise.

The inspector expresses a recommendation for certification according to his assessments

Conclusive action / reporting

• Identification and documentation of critical points
• Check of compliances – assessment of derogations
• Dealing with non-conformities: fixing measures
• Pronouncing recommendations / stipulations:
  clear description of necessary amendments,
  deadlines for corrective measures
• Immediate measures: in case of serious suspect ban on sales of certain
  lots in quest until a decision of the certification agency how to proceed
• Sampling for analysis

EU-REGULATION 2092/91, 1804/1999 Annex C:
BEEKEEPING AND BEEKEEPING PRODUCTS

1. General principles

1.1. Beekeeping is an important activity that contributes to the protection of the environment and agricultural and forestry production through the pollination action of bees.

1.2. The qualification of beekeeping products as being from organic production is closely bound up both with the characteristics of the hives' treatments and the quality of the environment. This qualification also depends on the conditions for extraction, processing and storage of beekeeping products.

1.3. When an operator runs several beekeeping units in the same area all the units must comply with the requirements of this Regulation. By derogation from this principle, an operator can run units not complying with this Regulation provided that all the requirements of this Regulation are fulfilled with the exception of the provisions laid down in paragraph 4.2 for the siting of the apiaries. In that case, the product cannot be sold with references to organic production methods.

2. Conversion period

2.1. Beekeeping products can be sold with references to the organic production method only when the provisions laid down in this Regulation have been complied with for at least one year. During the conversion period the wax has to be replaced according to the requirements laid down in paragraph 8.3.

3. Origin of the bees

3.1. In the choice of breeds, account must be taken of the capacity of animals to adapt to local conditions, their vitality and their resistance to disease. Preference shall be given to the use of European breeds of Apis mellifera and their local ecotypes.

3.2. Apiaries must be constituted by means of the division of colonies or the acquisition of swarms or hives from units complying with the provisions laid down in this Regulation.

3.3. By way of a first derogation, subject to the prior approval by the inspection authority or body, apiaries existing in the production unit not complying with the rules of this Regulation can be converted.

By way of a third derogation, the reconstitution of the apiaries shall be authorised by the control authority or body, when apiaries complying with this Regulation are not available, in case of high mortality of animals caused by health or catastrophic circumstances, subject to the conversion period.

3.6. By way of a fourth derogation, for the renovation of the apiaries 10 % per year of the queen bees and swarms not complying with this Regulation can be incorporated into the organic-production unit provided that the queen bees and swarms are placed in hives with combs or comb foundations coming from organic-production units. In the case, the conversion period does not apply.

4. Siting of the apiaries

4.1. The Member States may designate regions or areas where beekeeping complying with this Regulation is not practicable. Where no such areas are identified, the beekeeper must provide the inspection authority or body with appropriate documentation and evidence, including suitable analyses if necessary, that the areas accessible to his colonies meet the conditions required in this Regulation.

4.2. The siting of the apiaries must:

(a) ensure enough natural nectar, honeydew and pollen sources for bees and access to water;

(b) be such that, within a radius of 3 km from the apiary site, nectar and pollen sources consist essentially of organically produced crops and/or spontaneous vegetation, according to the requirements of Article 6 and Annex I of this Regulation, and crops not subject to the provisions of this Regulation but treated with low environmental impact methods such as, for example, those described in programs developed under Regulation (EEC) No 2078/92 (1) which cannot significantly affect the qualification of beekeeping production as being organic;

6.2. If despite all the above preventive measures, the colonies become sick or infested, they must be treated immediately and, if necessary, the colonies can be placed in isolation apiaries.

6.3. The use of veterinary medicinal products in beekeeping which complies with this Regulation shall respect the following principles:

(a) they can be used in so far as the corresponding use is authorised in the Member State in accordance with the relevant Community provisions or national provisions in conformity with Community law;

(b) phytotherapeutic and homeopathic products shall be used in preference to allopathic products chemically synthesised, provided that their therapeutic effect is effective for the condition for which the treatment is intended;

(c) if the use of the abovementioned products should prove or is unlikely to be effective to eradicate a disease or infestation which risks destroying colonies, allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products may be used under the responsibility of a veterinarian, or other persons authorised by the Member State, without prejudice to the principles laid down in paragraphs (a) and (b) above;

(d) the use of allopathic chemically synthesised medicinal products for preventive treatments is prohibited;

(e) without prejudice to the principle in (a) above formic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and oxalic acid and the following substances: menthol, thymol, eucalyptol or camphor can be used in cases of infestation with Varroa jacobsoni.

6.4. In addition to the above principles, veterinary treatments or treatments to hives, combs etc., which are compulsory under national or Community legislation shall be authorised.

6.5. If a treatment is applied with chemically synthesised allopathic products, during such a period, the colonies treated must be placed in isolation apiaries and all the wax must be replaced with wax complying with the conditions laid down in this Regulation. Subsequently, the conversion period of one year will apply to those colonies.

6.6. The requirements laid down in the previous paragraph do not apply to products mentioned in paragraph 6.3(e).

6.7. Whenever veterinary medicinal products are to be used, the type of product (including the indication of the active pharmacological substance) together with details of the diagnosis, the posology, the method of administration, the duration of the treatment and the legal withdrawal period must be recorded clearly and declared to the inspection body or authority before the products are marketed as organically produced.

7. Husbandry management practices and identification

7.1. The destruction of bees in the combs as a method associated with the harvesting of beekeeping products is prohibited.

7.2. Mutilation such as clipping the wings of queen bees is prohibited.

7.3. The replacement of the queen bees involving the killing
of the old queen is permitted.

7.4. The practice of destroying the male brood is permitted only to control the infestation with Varroa jacobsoni.

7.5. The use of chemical synthetic repellents is prohibited during honey extractions operations.

7.6. The zone where the apiary is situated must be registered together with the identification of the hives. The inspection body or authority must be informed of the moving of apiaries with a deadline agreed on with the inspection authority or body.

7.7. Particular care shall be taken to ensure adequate extraction, processing and storage of beekeeping products. All the measures to comply with these requirements shall be recorded.

7.8. The removals of the supers and the honey extraction operations must be entered in the register of the apiary.

8. Characteristics of hives and materials used in beekeeping

8.1. The hives must be made basically of natural materials presenting no risk of contamination to the environment or the apiculture products.

8.2. With the exception of products mentioned in paragraph 6.3(e) in the hives can be used only natural products such as propolis, wax and plant oils.

8.3. The beeswax for new foundations must come from organic production units. By way of derogation, in particular in the case of new installations or during the conversion period, bees wax not coming from such units may be authorised by the inspection authority or body in exceptional circumstances where organically produced beeswax is not available on the market and provided that it comes from the cap.

8.4. The use of combs, which contain broods, is prohibited for honey extraction.

8.5. For the purposes of protecting materials (frames, hives and combs), in particular from pests, only appropriate products listed in part B, Section 2, of Annex II are permitted.

8.6. Physical treatments such as stream or direct flame are permitted.

ANNEX II, part B

Microorganisms used for biological pest control

Microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi) e.g. Bacillus thuringensis, Granulosis virus, etc.

Only products not genetically modified in the meaning of Directive
90/220/EEC (1).

ANNEX II, part E

PRODUCTS AUTHORISED FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTION OF LIVESTOCK BUILDINGS AND INSTALLATIONS (E.G. EQUIPMENT AND UTENSILS)

Potassium and sodium soap
Water and steam
Milk of lime
Lime
Sodium hypochlorite
Alcohol
Caustic soda
Caustic potash
Hydrogen peroxide
Natural essences of plants
Citric, peracetic acid, formic, lactic, oxalic and acetic acid

 

PRIVATE STANDARDS IN ORGANIC APICULTURE

- obligatory for contract partners using brand labels

Guidelines beyond EU-norms with reference to different specific issues:

• Spreading biodynamic preparations in apiaries during winter
• Queen rearing based on swarm drive; grafting and artificial insemination not allowed
• Wax quality meeting DEMETER standards only
• Comb foundation (midribs) in supers only
• No feeding to stimulate breeding (pollen substitutes)
• Cleaning of hives with water and heat only
• Bottling of honey before crystallisation, no micro-filtration
• Maximum conversion period: 3 years
• Product parameters beyond EU standards (e.g. water content)
• Further minor rules
• No migration to conventional nectar sources
• Cleaning hives with caustic soda only in case of safe disposal
• Constant renewal of wax stocks
• Wax analysis before certification
• Removal of fodder before nectar flow
• No pollen substitutes
• Pollen traps harmless to bees
• Waiting period for Varroa-treatment with essential oils minimum: 3 months
  
• Returnable containers for retail trade
• Commitment to water content, HMF-level, enzyme activity of honey

Correct labelling of organic honey

Correct labelling of conventional honey

DOCUMENTATION ESSENTIALS

There is no obligatory format for documentation. It is helpful however to introduce standard forms for a better understanding and clarity of what has happened since the previous inspection. It also helps the producer to find out differences between single periods, characteristics of bee strains, apiary locations, crop yields, conversion peculiarities etc.
The following forms did prove to be simple enough but comprehensive to meet inspection demands.

Distribution of copies to clients as copies are recommended

Wax analysis

Testing for residues of varroacides:

Amitraz - Apitol
Brompropylate - Coumaphos
Fluvalinate - Dibrombenzophenone

Residues of wax moth control:

Para-dichlorbenzol

Required quantity: 100 g (pure wax), from different lots present in the production cycle (comb foundation, wax blocks or bars ready to process)

Costs:

• app. 50 – 80 € for varroacides standard analysis
• app. 70 € for wax moth repellents

Honey analysis

Sketch for sampling honey and wax for sampling purpose

e.g. Co-operative of 9 producers in 3 villages

The internal inspector takes two samples from each beekeeper; one for analysis, the other for reference/cross-checking, which remains with the producer or control body. A sample lot comprising several barrels should come from at least 10 % of the containers. From each group the samples are homogenized. From the resulting collective lots one sample for analysis and one for reference is taken by the external inspector. Collective lots are again homogenized. One sample is sent to the labaratory, the reference sample remains with the certifying agency.

 

Labelling of sampling containers:

Code-/lot-no., substance, designation of analysis, date of
harvest, date and place of sampling, inspector‘s name, signature of inspector and producer 

Entry in sampling plan!! 

Storage of reference samples: cool, dark, airtight

 

  Download Ulrich Broeker's PowerPoint presentation here (344kb .pps file)