Do you register your hives?

[johnnybigfish]

I've thought of it but until now I didnt realize the advantages.I really dont even know if I have to.
There was an interesting question presented to me while doing turbotax . It asked if I had any beehives.
Actually My filing didnt ask me, but pauls filing did...he didnt heve bees at that time so I just clicked"no". I wonder why they asked?

your friend,
john

[SgtMaj]

Might be digging up bones by reviving this old thread, but I was just doing the registration for my yard and ran across some info I thought relevant... This is specifically in the State of Tennessee:

Failure to register you bees or comply with the provisions of "The Apiary Act of 1995" may result in the confiscation your bees, beekeeping equipment and a $500.00 fine.

If you register your hives in TN:

You get E-mail notification of disease outbreaks and updates from the State Apiarist.

You get E-mail and postal notification of aerial spraying of pesticides in your area when the dept. of agriculture is notified of the spraying projects.

You get free inspection of your colonies if you are selling them, moving them or you feel you may have a bee health problem.

If your colonies have to be destroyed due to American Foulbrood or other regulated pest or disease you will be compensated if they are registered.

Also, you can elect to be listed as a renter of pollination hives, or to collect swarms or do cutouts, and as a seller of local honey.  So there's a lot of great reasons to register right there.

All that and it costs nothing to register them in TN.

[NWIN Beekeeper]

[If your colonies have to be destroyed due to American Foulbrood or other regulated pest or disease you will be compensated if they are registered.]

A. If the pest is regulated, then it must mean that the government deliberately unleashed it upon your bees (after all what does regulated mean, controlled?).

B. Who established the compensation value?

Ah... the sense of false security.

[SgtMaj]

[If your colonies have to be destroyed due to American Foulbrood or other regulated pest or disease you will be compensated if they are registered.]

A. If the pest is regulated, then it must mean that the government deliberately unleashed it upon your bees (after all what does regulated mean, controlled?).

Or it could mean that whenever it's detected, destruction is required... which is also a method of control.

B. Who established the compensation value?

Ah... the sense of false security.

Even if it's $50, that's $50 more than I'd have otherwise.  Might be far less than what the hive was worth, but it's more than nothing.

[1of6]

I register mione. Three very good reasons. 1. isnecticide sprayers must check this list. 2. AFB has been found in 3 apiaries this year in my state and it helps keep me away from them.3 If zoning changes, you have proof of pre-existing use and will be grandfathered in.

Very interesting points.  #2 - In Pennsylvania, I'm not sure they'd tell others.  It seems that instances of AFB are kept confidential.  I'd love to know more, or to know if there really is a method of notification and what the radius/distance threshold is for which we'd be notified.  #3 - I wonder if you'd be grandfathered in within a city or borough, or whether that's maybe up to the borough council.  We have folks around here who are fighting that battle, and that'd be a lifesaver for them if that was the case:  http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/content.detail/id/508408.html

Very interesting points though...I'd like to know more.

[KONASDAD]

Grandfathering is a constitutional protection and should be available for you. if your hives are legal, and then made illegal by new ordiannce, you will be allowed to keep the hives continuously. if you stop, the exception dies and can not be renewed absent a zoning varience.

As for AFB notification- I do not get an email, rather it is information that is advanced at NJBA meetings, w/o names of beeks who have had it, but rather a geographic notice. "If you live near Rt 80 and 195, please be on look out for AFB and call us if you have any conscerns" kind of statement.

[NWIN Beekeeper]

["If you live near Rt 80 and 195, please be on look out for AFB and call us if you have any conscerns"]

This sounds like an opportunity to start the "Orange Alert" (like the Amber Alert) for beekeeping.

We could get funding for big lighted billboards and radio commericals when they apply.

[SgtMaj]

["If you live near Rt 80 and 195, please be on look out for AFB and call us if you have any conscerns"]

This sounds like an opportunity to start the "Orange Alert" (like the Amber Alert) for beekeeping.

We could get funding for big lighted billboards and radio commericals when they apply.

LOL @ the billboards, but not a bad idea for an orange alert... could be done like txt paging on cell phones and emails... maybe radio if you're in a heavy ag area.

PS - Did I mention that registration is also FREE in the state of TN? ... and considering that they've been doing it ofor free for more than 20 years now, it's unlikely that they will suddenly start charging for it anytime soon.  So there really is no reason not to if you live around here.

[gaucho10]

I am sorry if I sound controversial but why open a can of worms if it is not necessary?  By the way...I keep in Massachusetts.

SgtMajr--"If you ever get sued for some beek related matter, it helps to show you are at least following the law".
If you don't have a law you don't have to break it nor do you have to show you are abiding by it.  I rather just keep my driver license up to date and pay my taxes...that should show "THEM" that I am a law abiding citizen.  No need to register my bees.

"Failure to register you bees or comply with the provisions of "The Apiary Act of 1995" may result in the confiscation your bees, beekeeping equipment and a $500.00 fine"  Just reinforces my previous statement.  If you don't have a law you wont break it.

pdmatox--You can still spend time with your inspector by just being there when he shows up.  I'm sure he would be happy to discuss your hive conditions with you.  No need to register your hives.

tlynn--"Plus they have a volunteer program with best practices for keeping out africanized bees.  If you sign up for it, they take a sample of your bees "  You should be able to do that yourself w/o volunteering and registering your bees.

SgtMaj--"If you register your hives in TN:
You get E-mail notification of disease outbreaks and updates from the State Apiarist"  That should be free information to all local beekeepers.

"You get E-mail and postal notification of aerial spraying of pesticides in your area when the dept. of agriculture is notified of the spraying projects"  If you join a local bee club, the membership list should go out to the local State/City/Town departments which in turn should notify the local beekeepers of planned spraying.

"You get free inspection of your colonies if you are selling them, moving them or you feel you may have a bee health problem"  If any of those things happen then I think it is up to the beekeeper to keep tabs of his hive conditions.

"If your colonies have to be destroyed due to American Foulbrood or other regulated pest or disease you will be compensated if they are registered"  Dido on the other posting/remarks.

"Also, you can elect to be listed as a renter of pollination hives, or to collect swarms or do cutouts, and as a seller of local honey"  I have had my name listed for many years with several local police departments and I have had good luck in getting calls for swarms,etc.  You really don't need to list for honey sales.  If you run a large apiary then you would probably spend the money for good advertising.  If you operate out of your home, a sign outside will deffinitely suffice to get the publics attention.

KONASDAD---"2. AFB has been found in 3 apiaries this year in my state and it helps keep me away from them"  Unless you rent out and move your bees, I doubt very much that you are going to have controll as to what direction they will fly.

[SgtMaj]

Failure to acqnowlege the law doesn't make the law cease to exist... as many many judges have ruled, ignorance of the law is not a defense.  I live in Tennessee where it IS the law... so I do it.  You live elsewhere, but a quick search of the Massachusetts Dept. of Ag site shows you have similar laws governing your bees... to quote:

"Chapter 128: Section 32. Inspector of apiaries; duties; staff; preparation and distribution of literature on bee culture; inspections; suppression of bee diseases.

Section 32. There shall be within the department a full-time chief apiary inspector to perform the duties of the department relative to a program for the inspection and control of bees, as provided in sections thirty-two through thirty-eight, inclusive. Subject to appropriation, the apiary inspector shall have a staff to perform said duties. With the approval of the commissioner, the inspector of apiaries shall prepare and distribute from time to time such literature upon the subject of bee culture as he deems advisable, shall make or cause to be made through his assistants such inspection of the bee colonies and beekeeping equipment throughout the commonwealth as is necessary to discover and suppress all bee diseases of a contagious or infectious nature inclusive of virus, fungus, bacterial or animal parasite and for this public purpose may require by regulation the registration of all bee colonies kept within the commonwealth and their location by the owners or caretakers thereof, the fee for which shall be determined by the secretary of administration and finance, which in no case shall exceed five dollars per registrant, regardless of the number of colonies so registered by him. The commissioner may make and issue reasonable regulations for carrying out this and sections thirty-three to thirty-eight, inclusive."

"Section 34. The inspector or his assistants, upon the discovery of bee diseases or any comb cross-built or fastened to the container in any apiary or colony shall give instruction to the owner or caretaker thereof as to the treatment of the diseased and miskept colonies, infected combs and equipment and shall cause the diseased and miskept colonies and all infected combs, hives and equipment to be treated, disposed of or destroyed in such manner as to suppress the disease.

For the loss of colonies of bees and property destroyed by the inspector or his assistants the commonwealth shall pay to the owner two dollars per colony."

[1of6]

Failure to acqnowlege the law doesn't make the law cease to exist... as many many judges have ruled, ignorance of the law is not a defense.  I live in Tennessee where it IS the law... so I do it.  You live elsewhere, but a quick search of the Massachusetts Dept. of Ag site shows you have similar laws governing your bees... to quote:

"Chapter 128: Section 32. Inspector of apiaries; duties; staff; preparation and distribution of literature on bee culture; inspections; suppression of bee diseases.

Section 32. There shall be within the department a full-time chief apiary inspector to perform the duties of the department relative to a program for the inspection and control of bees, as provided in sections thirty-two through thirty-eight, inclusive. Subject to appropriation, the apiary inspector shall have a staff to perform said duties. With the approval of the commissioner, the inspector of apiaries shall prepare and distribute from time to time such literature upon the subject of bee culture as he deems advisable, shall make or cause to be made through his assistants such inspection of the bee colonies and beekeeping equipment throughout the commonwealth as is necessary to discover and suppress all bee diseases of a contagious or infectious nature inclusive of virus, fungus, bacterial or animal parasite and for this public purpose may require by regulation the registration of all bee colonies kept within the commonwealth and their location by the owners or caretakers thereof, the fee for which shall be determined by the secretary of administration and finance, which in no case shall exceed five dollars per registrant, regardless of the number of colonies so registered by him. The commissioner may make and issue reasonable regulations for carrying out this and sections thirty-three to thirty-eight, inclusive."

"Section 34. The inspector or his assistants, upon the discovery of bee diseases or any comb cross-built or fastened to the container in any apiary or colony shall give instruction to the owner or caretaker thereof as to the treatment of the diseased and miskept colonies, infected combs and equipment and shall cause the diseased and miskept colonies and all infected combs, hives and equipment to be treated, disposed of or destroyed in such manner as to suppress the disease.

For the loss of colonies of bees and property destroyed by the inspector or his assistants the commonwealth shall pay to the owner two dollars per colony."

Well said. 

I do like the bit about $2.  ;) Thank you - I'll take a frame and a sheet of crimp-wired foundation, thank you.  :-D

Well said though.  I think PA's is pretty similar, and it spells out some of the beekeepers' responsibilities such providing access to the site for the state inspectors.  Pretty fair - they have a job to do and they are there to help us.

[SgtMaj]

Yeah that $2 compensation doesn't even cover the cost of registering the apiary there. 

[gaucho10]

Precisely what I mean.  The focus here is "REGISTERING YOUR HIVES", not what your State is offering.  Sooooooo...

SgtMaj---"Failure to acknowledge the law doesn't make the law cease to exist... as many many judges have ruled, ignorance of the law is not a defense"  I am not saying that you have to ignore the law...All I am saying is that if the law does not exist then you should not attempt to create a law.  Without getting tooooo complicated and to keep it in simple terms...Just our chatting on this website is possibly creating "ideas" to the local/State officials to see what they can do in order to generate "income". 

"Chapter 128: Section 32. Inspector of apiaries; duties; staff; preparation and distribution of literature on bee culture; inspections; suppression of bee diseases.
Section 32. There shall be within the department a full-time chief apiary" ...

Very well...All this states is that there will be an Inspector of apiaries.  You are still missing the point.  I agree that there should be an "INSPECTOR".  I like that idea.  But All the reasons previously stated does NOT make a good reason WHY PAY a fee (going back to the original thread "REGISTER YOUR HIVES"!!!!!!!!!!!.

"Section 34. The inspector or his assistants, upon the discovery of bee diseases or any comb cross-built or fastened to the container in any apiary or colony shall give instruction to the owner or caretaker thereof as to the treatment of the diseased and miskept colonies, infected combs and equipment and shall cause the diseased and miskept colonies and all infected combs, hives and equipment to be treated, disposed of or destroyed in such manner as to suppress the disease.

Here again.....the inspector is going to do everything in his power to help to inform the beekeeper of the problem and to give advise as to how to get rid of the problem......Still.....why incorporate a registration.

No comment on the $2.00.

Lets stay with the topic "registering"!!!!

[Moonshae]

I register my bees. I know both of our inspectors personally, and they aren't out to be the bee police, they're out to help beeks keep healthy hives. They said they're finding most problems with bees in the state are caused by bad management practices, not extraneous forces...like the guy who spread AFB to 8 of his 11 hives because he didn't know he had it and swapped frames between hives, didn't clean his hive tool, etc. If this guy didn't get inspected, how many other beeks' hives would have gotten AFB?

I'd rather get advice on how to correct problems as they happen than wait until things degenerate into a complete mess for me. It seems that a lot of people don't want to register because they don't want inspectors poking around their hives, but I don't understand why. It's not the same as having the police poking through your home, or any other privacy related issues. No one's bees exist in a vacuum...your problems (or your neighbor beek's problems) quickly can become everyone's problem. If you don't have any problems, what's the big deal? And if you do, you should be dealing with it, not ignorant of its existence or hiding it and pretending it doesn't exist.

[SgtMaj]

Very well...All this states is that there will be an Inspector of apiaries.  You are still missing the point.  I agree that there should be an "INSPECTOR".  I like that idea.  But All the reasons previously stated does NOT make a good reason WHY PAY a fee (going back to the original thread "REGISTER YOUR HIVES"!!!!!!!!!!!.

Actually, Chapter 128: Section 32 means that it may already be required by law to register your hives in your state because this clause makes any regulation by the chief apiary inspector reguarding mandatory registration, into law.  Which means you need to check with your chief apiary inspector's office to determine if registration is required in your state.  As a footnote, I think it unlikely that the legislature would have created that law if there weren't already some regulations created by the chief apiary inspector.

I posted section 34 for the $2 because of the questions on how much a person would be compensated in the event of loss... and yes, $2 is laughable.

[Brian D. Bray]

Guacho10;

I've worked with a state bee inspector a few times and I will tell you what I've learned well volunteering. 
Failure to register you bees in a misdemeanor with a penalty of fine and confiscation in most states.  Failure to comply once found to be in violation of criminal or administrative laws can result in jail time (Contempt of court) if a person continues to be bullheaded on top of the fine and confiscation.

I will agree that there are a good number of ridiculous laws on the books, but still, if knowingly fail to comply you can't complain when caught and made to pay.

You seem to be confused about the difference between rights and privileges.