| 1.1.1. |
Sources. Bees may be designated as organic
livestock and products obtained from them can be sold, labeled
or represented as organically produced, if managed in accordance
with organic standards for at least 60 days prior to the collection
of organic apiculture products. |
| 1.1.2. |
Forage. Bees from which organic honey and
other products are harvested shall have access to forage produced
in accordance with organic standards, provided that the hives
are located on certified land and are not within 2 miles of a
sanitary landfill, incinerator, power plant, golf course, town
or city, crops sprayed with prohibited substances, genetically
modified crops, or other sources of contamination, as described
in the Organic Livestock Plan approved by the certification agent.
The minimum distance may be increased by the certification agent,
if deemed necessary, on a case by case basis. |
| 1.1.2.1. |
Feeding of bee
colonies where conditions require reserves to be built up for
winter may be undertaken. Feeding must be carried out between
the last honey harvest and the period of dormancy of the colony. |
| 1.1.2.2. |
Feed should be
derived from organic honey or organic sugar syrup, but non-organic
honey or sugar syrup is allowed on a temporary and limited basis
with written justification of need and documentation of the lack
of organic feed sources, and must be approved by the certification
agent. |
| 1.1.2.3. |
The feeding of non-organic
honey or sugar syrup is prohibited when honey supers are in place
or during the 30 days preceding the placement of honey supers
on the hive. |
|
| 1.1.3. |
The health
of bee colonies should be maintained by good apiary practices. These include: |
| 1.1.3.1. |
The
use of hardy breeds that adapt well to the local conditions; |
| 1.1.3.2. |
Regular renewal
of queen bees; |
| 1.1.3.3. |
Regular cleaning and disinfection
of equipment; |
| 1.1.3.4. |
Use of non-contaminated foundation
wax; |
| 1.1.3.5. |
Destruction of contaminated
materials; |
| 1.1.3.6. |
Regular renewal of beeswax;
and |
| 1.1.3.7. |
Availability in hives of sufficient
pollen and honey. |
|
| 1.1.4. |
The following are not allowed
in managing organic apiaries: |
| 1.1.4.1. |
Acknowledging
the presence of pests, parasites or diseases without efforts
to restore the health of the colony; |
| 1.1.4.2. |
The use of prohibited
pesticides for the prevention or control of pests or parasites; |
| 1.1.4.3. |
Using antibiotics, sulfa products
or any drug not specifically allowed by these standards or that
is not on the National List of synthetic substances allowed for
organic livestock production; |
| 1.1.4.4. |
Use of pressure treated lumber
for hive construction materials; |
| 1.1.4.5. |
Use of chemical bee repellents; |
| 1.1.4.6. |
Wing clipping; and |
| 1.1.4.7. |
The cycling of hives between
conventional and organic management. |
|
| 1.1.5. |
Honey Handling |
| 1.1.5.1. |
An
operation which processes or handles organic honey must be in
compliance with all applicable handling requirements of these
organic standards. |
| 1.1.5.2. |
If
a facility processes both organic and non-organic honey, all
equipment, including containers and lines used to transport and/or
store honey, must be completely emptied and cleaned prior to
processing organic honey. |
| 1.1.5.3. |
Equipment which
comes in contact with honey must be made of stainless steel,
glass, or other food grade materials. |
|
