02 Ncac 48a .0249         Inspection of nuclei and queen breeding apiaries

(a)  No one shall sell queen bees, package bees or nuclei in North Carolina without having the bees from which the above are produced, inspected and found apparently disease free by the State Apiarist.

(b)  All nuclei, package bees and queen bees produced in North Carolina must have a North Carolina health certificate attached to each shipment from the producer's apiary. The health certificate shall be issued in accordance with the rules in this Section.

(c)  Beekeepers shall not sell nuclei, package bees or queens produced in other states from North Carolina locations without having a North Carolina health certificate on all the bees they own in North Carolina issued in accordance with the rules in this Section.

(d)  If the inspector has reason to believe that bees or equipment offered for sale are symptomless carriers of any disease or disorder listed in the rules in this Section he shall forbid movement or sale of the bees and equipment.

(e)  A protective quarantine area of a two-mile radius shall exist around the production apiaries of nuclei, queen bee or package bee producers in North Carolina who are in compliance with this Section. No one shall move bees into the quarantined area without a health certificate issued by the State Apiarist based on an inspection within 30 days prior to movement.

(f)  All persons who sell, ship, or deliver queen bees, package bees or nuclei in North Carolina must keep records of their acquisitions, sales, shipments or deliveries. These records must show contents of shipments; where sold, shipped, or delivered; to whom sold, shipped or delivered; and the date sold, shipped or delivered. These records must be kept for three years after the transaction and must be made available to any North Carolina Department of Agriculture apiary inspector on request. All persons who sell, ship, or deliver either queen bees, package bees, or nuclei in North Carolina must obtain a permit from the Plant Industry Division of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 106-638; 106-639;

Eff. January 1, 2011;

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