Yes, beekeeping is legal in Mexico, but compliance with federal and state regulations is mandatory. The Secretaría de Agricultura y Desarrollo Rural (SADER) oversees apiculture under the Ley Federal de Sanidad Animal (LFSA), while local governments impose additional restrictions. Recent 2026 amendments to the Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-002-SAG/ZOO-2023 tighten disease control protocols, requiring mandatory registration of hives in high-risk zones.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Mexico
- Registration and Zoning: Beekeepers must register hives with the Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria (SENASICA) under NOM-002-SAG/ZOO-2023. Urban apiaries face stricter zoning laws, with some municipalities (e.g., Mexico City) banning hives within 500 meters of residential areas.
- Disease and Pest Control: The Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-002-SAG/ZOO-2023 mandates annual inspections for Varroa destructor and Aethina tumida (small hive beetle). Failure to report infestations results in fines up to 5,000 UDMAs (≈$350 USD) or hive destruction.
- Pesticide Restrictions: The Ley General del Equilibrio Ecológico y la Protección al Ambiente (LGEEPA) prohibits neonicotinoid use within 3 km of apiaries. Violations trigger penalties under Article 420, including temporary suspension of agricultural operations.
Local ordinances, such as Reglamento de Protección Animal de Jalisco (2024), may impose further constraints, including mandatory distance from schools or hospitals. Non-compliance risks legal action under the Código Penal Federal for environmental harm. Consult SENASICA’s 2026 Guía de Buenas Prácticas Apícolas for updated protocols.