Farmer warned for failing to alert beekeepers before pesticide spraying

An individual entrepreneur in Primorsky Krai has been warned for failing to notify beekeepers and residents before pesticide treatments. Andrey Omelchenko, head of a peasant farm in Khorolsky Municipal District, did not follow legal requirements during field work in 2025. The oversight could have put local bees and people at risk from chemical exposure. Russian agricultural regulations require advance notice when pesticides or agrochemicals are used near apiaries or settlements. If these areas lie within 7 kilometres of treated fields, warnings must be published in the media. The notice must include chemical names, dosages, and how long beekeepers should confine their bees to prevent deaths.

Omelchenko did not issue these alerts before carrying out treatments. His failure to comply led to a formal warning from Rosselkhoznadzor, the agricultural watchdog in Primorsky Krai. The agency has already issued 23 similar warnings across the region since the beginning of 2026. The rules exist to protect bees from lethal exposure to sprayed chemicals. Without proper notification, beekeepers cannot take precautions, such as temporarily sealing hives. This can result in widespread bee losses and potential harm to nearby communities.

The warning serves as a reminder of the strict notification process for pesticide use. Farmers and agricultural businesses must publish details in local media 5–10 days before treatments. Compliance ensures beekeepers and residents have time to prepare and avoid chemical damage.