and I was in the dock charged with "failure to keep chickens". I argued that I would only be in breach if I had attempted to keep chickens but had failed. The judge, Berni I think, called my defence an impudence and jailed me for two years.
Immediately upon my release I was arrested again - for failing to keep chickens for two years
I don't think bees are dependent. They do their bee thing and we just provide the hive and nick their honey.
I have been considering bees recently. But it's a lot of arseing about and getting stung just for honey given that I probably eat about a quarter of a jar of honey a year.
I could make mead, I suppose.