In Mexico City, bees now hold the same legal status as livestock

In Mexico City, bees now hold the same legal status as livestock. The recently enacted Law for Beekeeping Promotion and Pollinator Conservation, published on July 22, 2026, recognizes bee colonies and hives as having the same legal protection as cattle, making their theft punishable as livestock theft. This law applies exclusively within Mexico City and prioritizes the protection of honeybees (Apis mellifera), native bees, and other pollinators such as butterflies, hummingbirds, bats, moths, and beetles, emphasizing their economic value and ecological importance.