Current through Register 1536, December 6, 2024
Section 8.04 - Disease Prevention and Control(1) Any Beekeeper who becomes aware of the existence of Disease, or Africanized Honey Bees through generally accepted beekeeping practices among any Honey Bees shall notify the Chief Apiary Inspector, in writing, or by telephone message to the number designated by the Department, within 48 hours.(2) Department may enter, at all reasonable times, upon the premises of any Apiary to make inspections of Colony, Hive, Package, Comb, or equipment used by or containing Honey Bees found on the premises to determine the presence of Disease, Parasites, Pests, or Africanized Honey Bees pursuant to M.G.L. c. 128, § 36.(3) Upon discovery of any issues that pose a risk to Honey Bee health, the Chief Apiary Inspector or Inspector shall give written instructions on how to rectify the situation, which may include, but not be limited to, a quarantine, treatment or decommission of said material or Apiary, or any other Colony, Hive, Package, Comb, or equipment until further notice to the Beekeeper as to the course of action to be taken to remedy the condition. Issues that pose a risk to Honey Bee health shall include, but may not be limited, to the following:(a) Previously used Colonies, Hives, or equipment not currently occupied or used by Honey Bees;(b) Unsanitary conditions;(c) Contaminated Colonies, Hives, or equipment with Disease, Parasites, Pests;(d) Any Comb cross-built, or fastened to any Hive that make proper inspection impossible; and(e) Africanized Honey Bees.(4) Upon discovery of Disease, Africanized Honey Bees, Parasites, Pests or any other issue that the Department determines poses a serious risk to Honey Bee health, the Chief Apiary Inspector or Inspector may cause any Colony, Hive, Package, Comb, or equipment to be destroyed. Such destruction shall be carried out by the Beekeeper under the direction and instruction of the Chief Apiary Inspector or Inspector and in accordance with an Order issued by the Department. Should the Beekeeper not perform the destruction then the Colony, Hive, Package, Comb, or equipment affected shall be subjected to destruction by the Chief Apiary Inspector or Inspector.Amended by Mass Register Issue 1469, eff. 5/13/2022.