Yes, beekeeping is legal in Colombia, but compliance with environmental and agricultural regulations is mandatory. The activity falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MADS) and the Colombian Agricultural Institute (ICA), with recent 2026 updates emphasizing biosecurity and native species protection.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Colombia
- Environmental Licensing: Beekeeping projects near protected areas or involving non-native species require prior environmental impact assessments from MADS, per Decree 1076 of 2015 and Resolution 189 of 2026.
- Sanitary Controls: Hives must comply with ICA’s biosecurity protocols (Resolution 3585 of 2023) to prevent disease transmission, including mandatory registration for commercial apiaries.
- Native Species Protection: The use of Africanized honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata) is restricted in certain regions under Resolution 2064 of 2024 to protect local biodiversity.