Yes, beekeeping is legal in Egypt, but compliance with agricultural and environmental laws is mandatory. The Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) oversees regulations, while the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) enforces sustainability standards. Recent 2026 updates require apiary registration and pesticide-use declarations to mitigate colony collapse risks.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Egypt
- Apiary Registration: All beekeepers must register their hives with the MALR’s Plant Protection Department, submitting location details and hive counts. Unregistered apiaries face fines up to EGP 50,000 under Law 53/2023.
- Pesticide Restrictions: Neonicotinoids and other bee-toxic chemicals are banned near apiaries. Violations trigger penalties under the Environmental Law 4/2024, enforced by the EEAA.
- Disease Surveillance: Mandatory inspections for foulbrood and varroa mites are conducted bi-annually. Infected colonies must be quarantined or destroyed per MALR directives.
Local governorates may impose additional zoning rules, particularly in urban areas like Cairo or Alexandria. Export-oriented beekeepers must also comply with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) agreements for honey shipments. Failure to adhere risks hive confiscation or legal action. Consult the MALR’s National Apiary Development Program for updated compliance guidelines.