§ 2-14-9 — Eradication or Control of Contagious and Infectious Diseases of Honeybees; Inspection; Fees; Transfer of Honeybees to Hives with Movable Frames

The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, pursuant to rules and regulations adopted and promulgated by the State Board of Agriculture and Industries as provided in this chapter, shall have full and plenary power to deal with American and European Foulbrood, Nosema, Isle of Wight disease, and other contagious and infectious diseases of honeybees and to do and perform all such acts through the State Apiarist and other agents or employees to the end that contagious and infectious diseases of honeybees may be eradicated or controlled. The commissioner, through the State Apiarist, may inspect all honeybees, combs, and hives being shipped or moved from this state to other states or countries that require inspection and certification before being admitted to other states or countries. The Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries or his or her agents or employees, including the State Apiarist, may enter and inspect, at all reasonable hours, any premises, station, depot, express office, storeroom, warehouse, vehicle, apiary, or any other location where honeybees, beekeeping equipment, or supplies are kept to ascertain whether such honeybees, equipment, or supplies are infected with or exposed to any infectious or contagious diseases or whether they are being kept, moved, or transported in violation of this chapter or rules and regulations promulgated under this chapter. The Board of Agriculture and Industries shall establish a fee to be paid by each owner of honeybees necessary to defray the cost and expense of the inspections which shall be deposited into the Agricultural Fund of the State Treasury.
It shall be unlawful for any person to hinder, obstruct, resist or refuse to allow such entrance and inspection.
The State Apiarist or his or her agent may direct and require any owner or other person in possession of honeybees dwelling in hives without movable frames and combs not permitting of ready examination and inspection to transfer such bees within a specified time to hives with movable frames. Failure to comply shall be followed by destruction of the hives and contents.

Legislative History

(Acts 1965, No. 794, p. 1488, §8; Act 2004-516, p. 996, §1.)