BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES

The document explains the balance between removing invasive eucalyptus species to protect biodiversity and water resources and maintaining these trees as critical nectar sources for the honeybee industry. It details the specific categories of invasive species, the legal requirements for removal in sensitive areas, and the process for obtaining permits to retain certain trees for beekeeping purposes.

• Eucalyptus trees are critical to the South African beekeeping industry, with an estimated 50% of the country's total honey originating from them, and honeybees pollinate more than 50 crops in South Africa.
• While over 85 eucalyptus species exist in South Africa, only six are classified as Category 1b invasive species that must be controlled and removed from sensitive areas.
• All eucalyptus species, regardless of whether they are invasive, must be removed from riparian zones, defined as areas within 32 meters of the bank of a river, lake, dam, wetland, or estuary, or within the 1:100-year flood line.
• Landowners may retain invasive eucalyptus species if they are located in the Nama-Karoo, Succulent Karoo, or any desert biome, or if they are on cultivated land at least 50 meters away from uncultivated or natural land.
• Landowners can apply for a Category 2 permit to keep invasive species if the trees serve a specific function, such as a bee foraging area, windbreak, or plantation, though this requires an environmental impact study (EIS) report.
• The removal of invasive eucalyptus from sensitive areas should be compensated by planting indigenous bee-friendly plants and protecting natural vegetation to prevent food shortages for pollinators.

APA

Puttergill, E., Masehela, T., & Fuller, S. (2023). BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES. WWF South Africa. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf

Chicago

Puttergill, Eve, Tlou Masehela, and Shelly Fuller. BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES. WWF South Africa, 2023. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Puttergill |first1=Eve |last2=Masehela |first2=Tlou |last3=Fuller |first3=Shelly |title=BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES |publisher=WWF South Africa |date=2023 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{puttergill2023bye, author = {Puttergill, Eve and Masehela, Tlou and Fuller, Shelly}, title = {{BYE, BLOEKOMS EN REGULASIES}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2023}, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/wwf_bees_gum_trees_regulations_afr.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }