CHAPTER 37 - INTRODUCTION OF HONEY BEES INTO STATE
Title 46 - Agriculture
CHAPTER 37.
INTRODUCTION OF HONEY BEES INTO STATE
SECTION 46-37-05. Definitions.
As used in this chapter:
(1) "Area" means apiary, beeyard, colony, organized or otherwise, or any other place where bees are found to colonize.
(2) "Commission" means the South Carolina State Crop Pest Commission, as designated by the board of trustees of Clemson University or an officer, employee, or designee of the commission to whom authority has been given by the commission.
(3) "Director" means the Director of Regulatory and Public Service Programs, Clemson University.
(4) "Disease" means contagious and infectious disease, including, but not limited to, American Foulbrood, European Foulbrood, Isle of Wight disease, or any pests and parasites, including, but not limited to, Varroa Mite, Tracheal mite, Africanized bee, etc.
(5) "Division" means the Division of Regulatory and Public Service Programs, Clemson University, and any of its employees, agents, and officials.
(6) "Fixture" means new or used equipment, a product, or byproduct used in beekeeping including, but not limited to, honey, hives, combs, supers, frames, and other appliances.
SECTION 46-37-10. Certificate of inspection required; exception.
All bees and fixtures shipped or moved into this State must be accompanied by a certificate of inspection signed by the state entomologist, state apiary inspector, or corresponding official of the state or country from which the bees are shipped or moved. The certificate must certify to the apparent freedom of the bees and fixtures from contagious and infectious diseases and must be based upon an actual inspection of the bees and fixtures themselves within sixty days preceding the date of shipment. An entry permit from the Department of Plant Industry, Clemson University, is required before moving bees or fixtures into this State.
SECTION 46-37-20. Powers of Commission; rules and regulations.
The commission may deal with any disease of bees which requires prevention, control, or eradication and may promulgate and enforce regulations necessary to control, eradicate, or prevent the introduction, spread, or dissemination of any and all diseases of bees.
SECTION 46-37-25. Commission to delegate duties to director; authority of director.
The commission shall delegate the duties provided in this chapter to the director who may administer and enforce all provisions of this chapter and promulgate regulations necessary to implement this chapter.
SECTION 46-37-30. Inspection; removal or destruction of bees, beekeeping fixtures and appliances.
The division may enter a warehouse, premises, or area to inspect bees and beekeeping fixtures to determine if they (a) are infected with a disease or (b) have been or are being transported in violation of the provisions of this chapter. The division may require the removal from this State of bees or fixtures brought into the State in violation of this chapter. If the division finds that bees or fixtures are infected with a disease or finds that the bees or fixtures have been exposed to infection by a disease it may require the destruction, treatment, or disinfection of bees and fixtures.
SECTION 46-37-40. Introduction of used fixtures regulated.
The shipment or movement into this State of any used or secondhand fixtures is prohibited unless permitted by regulations of the division.
SECTION 46-37-50. Penalty.
A person violating the provisions of this chapter or of the division or the commission is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment for not more than six months.