Rule 40-4-1-.04. Interstate and Intrastate Movement of Honey Bees

1. (1) No honey bees on comb or in hives shall be moved into or located in Georgia unless a permit has been obtained from the Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Georgia.

2. (2) Applications for a permit shall be made on a form obtained from the Entomology and Pesticides Division of the Georgia Department of Agriculture. Such form shall contain the following information:

   1. (a) The number of colonies to be moved;
   2. (b) The county(ies) in the state(s) of origin from which the colonies are being moved;
   3. (c) Each state and county where the colonies have been located during the previous two years;
   4. (d) The county location(s) in Georgia in which the bees are to be located;
3. (3) No permit shall be issued by the Commissioner unless the application for the permit is accompanied by a certificate by the apiary official in the state of origin which certifies that the honey bees have been inspected within ninety (90) days of the date of shipment and have been found to be apparently free of American and European Foulbrood, other bee disease, Varroadestructor and that bees were actively rearing brood at the time of inspection. In lieu of certification that hives are free of Varroa, destructor certification may be based upon treatment with hive strips that contain fluvalinate or with another pesticide registered by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Georgia Department of Agriculture for controlling Varroadestructor.

4. (4) Honey bees on comb or in hives may enter Georgia from any other state for the sole purpose of passage through Georgia, subject to the following conditions:

   1. (a) All shipment shall be securely netted or contained in refrigerated vessels to prevent escape;
   2. (b) Movement through Georgia will be made without interruption, except for necessary fueling, meals, sleep, or emergency service.
5. (5) Resident Georgia beekeepers may move honey bees on comb or in hives, freely, and without restriction, within Georgia, provided such honey bees have not entered Georgia in violation of any provision of this Chapter, or are not moved from any area in violation of quarantine.
6. (6) Any Georgia resident beekeeper may, upon request and payment of inspection fee, obtain certification from the Georgia Department of Agriculture that his honey bees are apparently free of the tracheal mite, Acarapis woodi, Varroadestructor or other bee pest when such certification is required by another state as a condition for shipment. Request for sampling and certification shall be made to the Department of Agriculture at least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled time of shipment.

Authority: Authority O.C.G.A. Secs. 2-14-41, 2-14-44, 2-14-46.

History. Original Rule entitled "Enforcement" adopted as ER. 40-4-1-0.24-.04. F. and eff. April 8, 1985, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.26-.04 adopted. F. Aug. 15, 1985; eff. Aug. 12, 1985, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.28-.04 adopted. F. and eff. December 10, 1985, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.31-.04 adopted. F. Apr. 15, 1986; eff. Apr. 11, 1986, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.32-.04 entitled "Interstate and Intrastate Movement of Honey Bees" adopted. F. Aug. 21, 1986; eff. Aug. 18, 1986, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.33-.04 entitled "Queens and Package Bees Produced" adopted. F. and eff. December 17, 1986, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.34-.04 adopted. F. and eff. April 16, 1987, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.35-.04 adopted. F. Aug. 25, 1987; eff. Aug. 21, 1987, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.36-.04 adopted. F. and eff. December 22, 1987, the date of adoption.

Amended: 40-4-1-0.37-.04 adopted. F. Apr. 22, 1988; eff. Apr. 21, 1988, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.38-.04 adopted. F. Aug. 26, 1988; eff. Aug. 23, 1988, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.39-.04 entitled "Interstate and Intrastate Movement of Honey Bees" adopted. F. and eff. December 23, 1988, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.40-.04 adopted. F. and eff. April 24, 1989, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.41-.04 adopted. F. Dec. 20, 1989; eff. Dec. 19, 1989, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.42-.04 adopted. F. and eff. April 20, 1990, the date of adoption.

Amended: 40-4-1-0.43-.04 adopted. F. and eff. September 21, 1990, the date of adoption.

Amended: ER. 40-4-1-0.45-.04 adopted. F. and eff. April 5, 1991, the date of adoption.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Oct. 29, 1991; eff. Nov. 18, 1991.

Repealed: New Rule of same title adopted. F. Oct. 27, 2005; eff. Nov. 16, 2005.

Amended: F. Sept. 23, 2010; eff. Oct. 13, 2010.