Duties Of The Director In Controlling The Spread Of Disease And Exotic Strain Of Bees

TITLE 22 AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE CHAPTER 25 BEE INSPECTION 22-2504. Duties of the director in controlling the spread of disease and exotic strain of bees. When the director shall be notified of the existence in any apiary of a transmissible bee disease or exotic strain of bees, he shall conduct appropriate investigations to the extent that the resources provided by this chapter support. If the investigation establishes the presence of such transmissible disease or exotic strain of bees, the director may order abatement by methods which he shall prescribe. These methods may include destruction of the infested bees or exotic strain of bees and contaminated equipment. Infested colonies or other equipment may not be removed from the premises on which they are found without written permission of the director. The director may, by rule, establish tolerances of regulated bee diseases allowable in apiaries and establish a certification program for beekeepers in order to prevent and control the movement of exotic strains of bees into the state.