§ 4-12-5 - Inspection/survey of apiaries – Notice – Entry – Abatement of infection – Infestation of undesirable bees.
SECTION 4-12-5
§ 4-12-5 Inspection/survey of apiaries– Notice – Entry – Abatement of infection – Infestation ofundesirable bees. – (a) The director of environmental management, to determine the presence orabsence of infectious, contagious or communicable diseases or honey bee pests,shall annually either:
(1) Inspect twenty percent (20%) of the bee colonies locatedwithin thirty-three percent (33%) of the state's apiaries to determine thepresence or absence of diseases and pests listed in § 4-12-2(14); or
(2) Conduct a statistical biological survey as published bythe federal agriculture research service or the animal and plant healthinspection service or the Beltsville beneficial insects laboratory.
Inspections or surveys will be geographically disbursed so asto be representative of the colonies within the state.
(b) A registered beekeeper may make a written request to thedirector for a special examination of the beekeeper's colonies. On receipt ofthis written request the director or authorized inspector shall inspect thebees owned and managed by that beekeeper for bee diseases or pests. Areasonable fee shall be charged which is not contingent upon issuance of ahealth certificate.
(c) Once written notice of inspection has been given to anowner as provided in this section, that owner shall not move any hive or hivesor bees or bee equipment from the time notice is received until either seven(7) days thereafter or until the time that the results of the inspection arereceived.
(d) The director shall provide for controlling or eliminatinginfested or diseased honey bees and pests, including eliminating swarms andferal colonies as a means to prevent further dispersal and to protect thepublic and the economy of this state. The control procedures shall:
(1) Include abatement, as prescribed by rules adopted underthis article.
(2) Include a public education program to emphasize theimportance of a healthy beekeeping industry.
(3) Be designed and implemented to minimize the negativeimpact on beekeepers while being effective in controlling Africanized bees andother pests.