Importation of Queen Bees
- Importation of queen bees allowed only after verification they are free from quarantine significant diseases.
- Commercial beekeepers and apiaries must be registered with BAI, providing essential information like business permits and tax registration.
- Accreditation required for all who intend to import queen and escort bees, involving inspection of bee yards and quarantine facilities.
- Import application must be made online via the DA Trade System.
- Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) issued by BAI only if import complies with guidelines.
- Importation without SPSIC subject to confiscation and destruction at importer’s expense.
- SPSIC can be revoked if importer provides false or incomplete information or violates terms.
General Requirements and Conditions for Importation
- Only Apis mellifera queen and escort bees may be imported.
- Import from countries or zones with viral diseases or Africanized honey bees prohibited.
- Importation of brood combs, nucleus colonies, and packaged bees is not allowed.
- Shipments must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate and Phytosanitary Certificate ensuring freedom from mites, small hive beetles, and various pathogens.
- Breeding apiary must be officially approved and under sanitary control by the exporting country’s veterinary authority.
- Packing materials must originate from the approved apiary and be free of contamination.
- Port of entry restricted primarily to Ninoy Aquino International Airport unless others are properly equipped.
- Queens must be shipped in plastic cages.
Port of Entry Procedures
- Upon arrival, shipments must be presented to quarantine authorities with SPSIC, veterinary, and phytosanitary certificates.
- Shipments lacking documents are subject to confiscation, destruction, return to origin, or shipment to third country.
- Sample escort bees collected from each queen cage for laboratory analysis.
- Importer must cooperate with inspection and provide all required documents.
Post Entry Requirements
- Samples analyzed by National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (NVQSD).
- Shipments released immediately upon sampling if importers agree to quarantine terms.
- Performance of imported queens monitored at one week by BAI and research team.
- Results of laboratory analysis released within 3–7 days; findings disseminated over 9 weeks.
- Detection of pests or pathogens results in notification within 5 days and mandatory destruction at importer’s cost with no compensation.
Sanctions and Enforcement
- False or incomplete information or violation of any Order provision results in automatic revocation of SPSIC after notice and hearing.
- Importation without valid SPSIC leads to confiscation and destruction of bees.
Final Provisions
- Repeals or modifies existing conflicting administrative orders and regulations.
- Order takes effect 15 days after publication in two newspapers and filing of certified copies with National Administrative Register.
These provisions comprehensively regulate the importation of queen and escort bees to safeguard agriculture and apiculture in the Philippines, ensuring disease control, compliance with international standards, and strict quarantine measures.