02 NCAC 48A .0206          THE TRANSPORTATION OF BEES

The transportation or importation into North Carolina from any other state or country of bees of the superfamily apoidea in any stage of development, the causal agents of their diseases or disorders, their pests, their products, nests or hives, and associated equipment are prohibited except under the following conditions:

(1)           All bees of the superfamily apoidea except apis mellifera and cross bred strains of apis mellifera with other species of apis that are naturalized in the United States shall be allowed entry into North Carolina only by scientific permit.  Procedures for obtaining scientific permit are:

(a)           An application for a permit to move regulated articles shall be obtained from:

State Apiarist

Plant Industry Division

North Carolina Department of Agriculture

Post Office Box 27647

Raleigh, North Carolina 27611

This application shall be returned to the State Apiarist for processing;

(b)           Decisions on acceptance or rejection of applications for movement of regulated articles for scientific purposes are based on the following criteria:

(i)            pest or disease risk hazard;

(ii)           safeguards against spread which can be applied;

(iii)          amount of material involved;

(iv)          biological conditions in the area in which the regulated article is to be moved;

(v)           method of packaging and method of shipment to be employed;

(vi)          use for which the regulated articles is to be applied.

(2)           Bees of the species, apis mellifera and strains of apis mellifera cross bred with other species of apis that are naturalized in the United States herein referred to as bees and their equipment and products may be allowed entry into North Carolina under the following conditions:

(a)           Live adult bees in cages, without combs or foundation provisioned with "candy" or "syrup" made from sugar and boiled honey possessing a valid certificate of inspection will be admitted when not from an area under quarantine;

(b)           Bees on combs or foundation, nuclei, used hives, used combs and other used apiary equipment of any kind are prohibited except by permit issued according to the provisions of the rules in this Section;

(c)           New or unused apiary equipment and products packed for nonbee consumption may be transported into North Carolina without restriction;

(d)           Pollen shipped for bee food may be transported into North Carolina when free of bee disease;

(e)           Nuclei of commercial beekeepers or a beekeeper who is not regularly in the business of raising queens, package bees or nuclei for sale are prohibited except by permit issued according to the provisions of the rules in this Section;

(f)            Nuclei of queen breeders, package bee producers, or nuclei producers must be accompanied by a valid certificate of apiary inspection issued by the proper official of the state of origin and marked with the North Carolina compliance agreement number.  A compliance agreement may be made between the State Apiarist and those rearing bees in other states for sale as nuclei providing the shipper agrees to the conditions in the compliance agreement;

(g)           The transportation into North Carolina from any other state or country of bees on comb, used hive bodies, frames, combs and other apiary equipment may be allowed into North Carolina when each shipment is accompanied by a valid permit issued by the State Apiarist.  Any colony or colonies of bees or used apiary equipment of any kind found to be moving or to have been moved into North Carolina in violation of the requirements of this Section shall be subject to seizure, destruction, or such other disposition as shall be determined by the State Apiarist, or other authorized inspector, without compensation to the owner.

(3)           Bees may be transported through North Carolina in interstate commerce to a destination outside North Carolina only under the following conditions:

(a)           Hives must be securely covered at all times;

(b)           Transporting vehicles must keep motors running at all times unless refueling, or unless the bees are enclosed in a refrigerated containment vehicle that maintains the bees at a constant temperature below 45 degrees F.;

(c)           Transporting vehicles must travel on and remain within one mile of an interstate highway; and

(d)           The vehicle operator or other responsible person must immediately report to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture any accidental or intentional release of bees.

(4)           Bees may be transported freely within North Carolina except as restricted by quarantine, clean‑up areas, or other rules herein.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 106‑634 through 106‑644;

Eff. January 1, 1985;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; June 1, 1993; April 1, 1985.