02 Ncac 48a .0247         Requirements for issuance of permit

(a)  No permits for entry into North Carolina shall be issued until the following information has been filed with the State Apiarist:

(1)           A valid certificate of apiary inspection from an official of the state of origin, who is authorized by the state of origin, to conduct apiary inspections and equipment to the effect that said bees and equipment have been inspected within sixty days of the proposed date of entry into North Carolina and found apparently free from contagious and infectious diseases, and giving the number of colonies inspected, date of inspection, whether all of the bees owned by the owner of said bees were inspected and included in the certificate. Certificates not meeting the requirements of this Section regarding specific diseases inspected for and thoroughness of inspection may be rejected;

(2)           A statement from the owner of the bees and equipment giving the number of colonies of bees and amount of equipment to be brought into North Carolina, the proposed date of entry into the state, and where the bees and equipment will be located in the state; and

(3)           Permission from the owner of said bees for North Carolina inspectors to inspect at any time the bees and equipment while in North Carolina.

(b)  A permit shall be granted for used beekeeping equipment without bees if:

(1)           The State Apiarist has received a statement from an official of the state of origin, who is authorized by the state of origin, to conduct apiary inspections that the bees on which the equipment was last used have been inspected and found free of American foulbrood or other dangerous diseases;

(2)           The equipment has been fumigated or otherwise sterilized in such a manner that in the opinion of the State Apiarist the equipment is free of infectious American foulbrood or other dangerous disease.

(c)  The State Apiarist may require specified marking or other identification of used beekeeping equipment to avoid that equipment being comingled with new equipment as a prerequisite for granting a permit.

(d)  The State Apiarist may require treatments or fumigations for diseases and disorders of special concern as identified in this section as a prerequisite for granting a permit from areas under quarantine.

(e)  The proposed location of imported bees and bee equipment in North Carolina shall be approved by the State Apiarist in advance of issuance of a permit. In determining whether a proposed location will be approved, the State Apiarist shall consider the following criteria in determining whether the requested movement of bees or equipment could create or lead to overcrowding of bees or other detrimental conditions at the proposed site:

(1)           The bee population or density in the proposed entry area and proximity to other bees with respect to creation of conditions favoring honeybee stress diseases or increased disease or pest spread hazard;

(2)           The number of colonies for which the entry permit is requested;

(3)           The adequacy of the honey pasture in the proposed entry area;

(4)           The effect on incorporated cities in North Carolina or any local bee ordinance;

(5)           The effect on honeybee research being conducted in North Carolina;

(6)           The effect on honeybee disease quarantine or clean-up areas in North Carolina;

(7)           Any previous locations or enforcement histories in North Carolina;

(8)           Any unusual or mitigating circumstances; and

(9)           The timing of the request.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 106-638;

Eff. January 1, 2011;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 24, 2019.