Neither Fish, nor Fowl: Honeybees and the Parameters of Current Legal Frameworks for Animals, Wildlife and Biodiversity

The regulation of animals falls into three main paradigms; animal health, animal welfare and conservation. This article argues that in the modern context there are several regulatory challenges which are not accommodated within those parameters including those presented by contemporary issues such as animal diseases and hybrid and feral animals. A case study of honeybees is used to explore these frameworks and their parameters and limitations in detail. The difficulties arising are not confined to idiosyncratic cases such as honeybees however, but also apply at a broader level. While some of these difficulties might be tackled through incremental changes to existing legislation, a more holistic framework which moves beyond historical assumptions about the nature of animals and their relationship with people therefore, will ultimately be needed