State Apiary Program Proposed Rule Changes

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Licensed Beekeepers

Apiary Program Proposed Rule Changes - Call for Public Comment

The purpose of the Apiary Program is to prevent the introduction and/or spread of regulated honey bee diseases, parasites, and undesirable genetic material in resident and migratory honey bee colonies, as well as encourage and maintain interstate movement of honey bees for crop pollination and honey production.

Proposed changes to the current rules include:

  1. Defining and clarifying terms within the rules.
  2. Deregulate well established pests that are currently regulated, including the varroa mite and European foulbrood.
  3. Adding pests and diseases of honey bees to the regulated pest list that do not currently exist in the United States but have the potential to be very harmful to the State of Maine Beekeeping industry.
  4. Clarify areas of the current rule that are unclear and/or burdensome to beekeepers including the follow sections: Regulation, Possession and Sale, Abatement Procedures and Inspection.
  5. Increase the apiary registration fee. The current fee schedule was first adopted in 1985 and has never been increased.

Public Hearing Dates:

  • April 29, 2019 - 5-7pm at Cumberland County Cooperative Extension Office, 75 Clearwater Dr #104, Falmouth, ME 04105 
  • May 2, 2019 - 5-7pm at Maine DOT Region 4, Blue Building, 219 Hogan Road, Bangor, ME 04401

Written Comment Deadline: Monday May 13, 2019

Related Documents:

Send Comments:

Jennifer Lund
State Apiarist
Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
28 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0028
jennifer.lund@maine.gov
207-287-7562 Office
207-624-7548 Fax