Conduct: members

This Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of LBKA members. The Code aims to ensure that all members observe the highest standards of propriety and act in the best interests of the LBKA, its members and the public at all times.

Preamble

In terms of its Constitution the London Beekeeping Association aims primarily to promote and advance the craft of Apiculture within the London region and to encourage the competency and professional conduct amongst its members in their beekeeping activities. To this extent the Association expects of its members that they themselves maintain a competent and professional approach in all aspects of their beekeeping activities.

Scope

LBKA members must comply with the code whenever they:

conduct beekeeping and related activities
collect swarms or remove feral colonies
attend beekeeping events
contribute to media (local, national and international)
use beekeeping social media and websites
refer to the LBKA in any other way

Compliance with statutory regulations

All members who keep bees whether for recreational use, commercial use or for any reason relating to the production and harvesting of honey bee products must comply with UK statutory laws and Local Government by-laws in beekeeping.

All members who keep bees must be registered with the BBKA or Bee Farmers' Association, either directly or though a local association, and must hold a valid membership number and insurances for notifyable pests and diseases.

Insurance cover

All members who keep bees should consider being covered with some form of insurance for public liability.

Conduct of members

All members of the Association are expected to:

adhere to the Association's Constitution.
practice proven and ethical standards in working and managing their bees or any activity associated with apiculture, including the collection of swarms and the removal of feral swarms and any aspect of research and development in apiculture.
behave in a proper, lawful and responsible manner in all activities associated with beekeeping.
behave in a responsible manner in all dealings with the general public on beekeeping matters.
acknowledge and respect the views of fellow beekeepers without derogatory or disparaging comment whilst maintaining their right to express their own views in any forum of the Association.
not use or attempt to use their position as members improperly to confer on or secure for themselves or any other person, an advantage or disadvantage.

Personal and commercial interests:

When undertaking any activity for a third party, commercial or otherwise - e.g. product sales, advice, training, consultancy, beekeeping services, etc. - members will not act, claim to act or give the impression they are acting on behalf of the LBKA unless by specific prior arrangement with the Association committee.

Responsibilities to the public

Any member who keeps bees on property which is not their own must have the permission of the landowner to keep their bees on that property.

The member shall at all times act in an environmentally and socially responsible manner whilst working with their bees on any site.

The beekeeper must work as safely and as responsibly as reasonable at all times

The beekeeper should at all times keep the area in which they keep their bees in a tidy and clean environment and avoid any damage to other property.

The beekeeper should maintain regular contact with the landowner and adhere to reasonable requests made by the landowner regarding the keeping of bees on the property.

The beekeeper must ensure that the interests of the general public are observed when working on their bees or transporting bees in any vehicle.

Conduct in respect of swarm collection and bee removals

Any member of the Association who carries out swarm collection or the removal of feral swarms must be competent to do so. The bee remover must know their limitations and must not endanger the safety of other persons, livestock, pets or other animals or property. Bee collectors must assess risks before collecting bees and should issue reasonable warnings to anyone who may be at risk. The bee remover/swarm collector should make all reasonable efforts to seek permission from property owners before collecting swarms.

The Association reserves the right to act in terms of its Constitution against any member with respect to any irresponsible action or conduct caused by the member who may bring the aims and objectives of the Association or the bee keeping fraternity in general into disrepute in respect of any activity associated with the removal of bees or their destruction.

Complaints and grievances

Any member of the Association who has a complaint against another member or the Association committee or another beekeeping body may contact the committee@lbka.org.uk. The committee undertake to provide an initial response within 10 working days and to make all reasonable steps to resolve the issue within 4 weeks.

In the event the member is not satisfied with the outcome after that time, they may take the issue to the Chair of the Association. If the complaint is about the Chair, the member may take the issue to the Secretary or Treasurer.

Reporting Suspicions of Fraud

Any member of the Association who has a suspicion that fraudulent activity is being carried out by an individual or group of trustees or officers of the Association, should contact the Chair. The Chair undertakes to provide an initial response within 10 working days, to make all reasonable steps to investigate and rule on the case within 4 weeks, and to refer the case to the Charity Commission if necessary. If the suspicion is about the Chair, the member may take the issue to the Secretary or Treasurer.

In the event the member is not satisfied with the outcome after that time, they may take the issue to the Charity Commission using the online form.

Action to be taken regarding misconduct

In the event that any member persistently fails to comply with this code of conduct, brings the name of the Association into disrepute, or fails or conducts themselves in any manner deemed irresponsible or unethical the Committee of the Association may act in terms of the Constitution in dealing with the matter.

The committee reserves the right to refuse, with good reason, membership or renewal.