Yes, beekeeping is legal in Peru, but compliance with environmental and agricultural regulations is mandatory. The Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) oversees apiculture under the Ley N° 29816 (2012) and Decreto Supremo N° 018-2016-MINAGRI, which require registration, sanitary controls, and zoning restrictions to mitigate risks to biodiversity and commercial agriculture.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Peru
- Registration and Sanitary Certification: Beekeepers must register with MIDAGRI’s Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria (SENASA) and obtain sanitary certificates for hives, ensuring compliance with Reglamento de Sanidad Apícola (2016). Failure to register risks fines up to 10 UIT (S/ 4,950 in 2024).
- Zoning and Environmental Restrictions: Hives are prohibited in protected natural areas (e.g., national parks) under Ley N° 26834 (1997) and require prior environmental impact assessments in buffer zones. Urban beekeeping may face municipal ordinances (e.g., Lima’s Ordenanza N° 2361-MML).
- Disease Control and Biosecurity: Mandatory reporting of Varroa destructor infestations or Aethina tumida (small hive beetle) is enforced via SENASA’s Programa Nacional de Sanidad Apícola. Non-compliance triggers quarantine measures and hive destruction orders.
Critical Compliance Notes:
- 2026 Shifts: MIDAGRI’s Plan Nacional de Apicultura 2024–2026 introduces stricter traceability systems for honey exports, aligning with EU and USDA standards. Beekeepers exporting to these markets must adopt digital hive tracking by 2026.
- Indigenous Communities: In Amazonian regions, beekeeping may require prior consultation under Ley N° 29785 (2011) if hives are placed on communal lands.