Yes, keeping bees is legal in Taiwan, subject to compliance with agricultural and environmental regulations.
Beekeeping operates under a permissive framework but requires adherence to local ordinances, particularly in urban and agricultural zones. The Council of Agriculture (COA) under the Executive Yuan oversees apiary management, while municipal governments enforce zoning and nuisance-related restrictions. Recent amendments to the Animal Epidemic Prevention Act (2026 draft) introduce stricter biosecurity protocols, mandating hive registration and disease surveillance for commercial apiaries.
Key Regulations for Keeping Bees in Taiwan
- Hive Registration & Zoning Compliance: Beekeepers must register hives with the COA’s Animal Health Research Institute (AHRI) and comply with local zoning laws. Urban beekeeping may require permits under municipal ordinances (e.g., Taipei City’s Green Urban Planning Guidelines).
- Disease Surveillance & Biosecurity: The 2026 Animal Epidemic Prevention Act enforces mandatory reporting of Varroa destructor infestations and hive inspections. Commercial apiaries face unannounced checks by county-level veterinary bureaus.
- Pesticide Use & Environmental Impact: Beekeepers must avoid neonicotinoid-treated crops near hives, per COA’s 2023 Pesticide Management Act amendments. Violations risk fines up to NT$1 million (≈US$32,000) for endangering pollinator ecosystems.
Additional constraints apply in protected areas (e.g., national parks) under the Cultural Heritage Conservation Act, where beekeeping may be prohibited without special permits. Non-compliance with COA directives can result in hive destruction or criminal liability under the Wild Animal Conservation Act if feral colonies disrupt local fauna.