Beekeeping is a traditional part of smallholding and the WFA welcomes beekeepers who use sustainable practices in the management of their hives.

We consider sustainable practices to include:

l        The use of renewable, natural materials in hive construction (e.g. wood from sustainable sources in preference to polystyrene)

l        No synthetic chemical or medicinal treatments (i.e. no pyrethroids, no prophylactic treatments including antibiotics, no organo-phosphates). Organic acids (e.g. oxalic, formic) and powdered sugar are permitted.

l        Allowing the bees to build their own comb in preference to the use of foundation

l        Top bar hives in preference to framed hives

l        Honey sold either in the comb, or cold extracted and strained but not fine filtered to remove pollen grains