§ 7 §2771 — Disease and parasites of honeybees

The commissioner shall adopt rules to designate the diseases and parasites to be regulated in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375. All honeybees infected with the disease known as American Foulbrood, European Foulbrood or other regulated honeybee diseases and parasites, together with the equipment contaminated by any such disease or parasite, are declared to be a danger to spreading these diseases and parasites. All honeybees and equipment which are suspected by the commissioner to be infected or infested with a regulated disease or parasite shall be quarantined in a location stipulated by the commissioner. The presence of a regulated disease or parasite shall be confirmed using a suitable method and qualified agency authorized by the commissioner. Upon confirmation, the beekeeper shall be notified by a state bee inspector and allowed 7 days to eliminate the disease in a manner prescribed by the commissioner. If no corrective action is taken within 7 days, the infected or infested colonies shall be abated by a bee inspector in a manner prescribed by rule in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act, Title 5, chapter 375.

Legislative History

PL 1985, c. 572 (NEW).