Legal hives for Indiana

[wayne]

The law ( 312 IAC 18-3-6 , 7 ) describes hives for hoosier beeks. Does the TBH meet this description?
IAC is copied below.


wayne


312 IAC 18-3-6 Maintenance of honeybees in movable frame hives
Authority: IC 14-10-2-4; IC 14-24-3
Affected: IC 14-24
Sec. 6. (a) A person who manages honeybees for hobby or commercial purposes must maintain the bees in movable frame
hives.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c), movable frames shall have a size and construction which meet ordinary industry
standards.
(c) The division may issue a permit for the maintenance, without movable frame hives, of honeybees in an exhibit or for
educational purposes. (Natural Resources Commission; 312 IAC 18-3-6; filed Nov 22, 1996, 3:00 p.m.: 20 IR 946; readopted filed
Oct 2, 2002, 9:10 a.m.: 26 IR 546)

[Brian D. Bray]

The bugaboo might be the wording concerning meeting industry standards.   Here in the USA the Langstroth hive (in its variations) is the industry standard.  TBH's, as I understand it, was a concept that has been imported from Africa and are considered primarially experimental.  The stipulation that the frames be removeable may allow them.
If in doubt write for clarifacation of priority of equipment--my guess is that removable frames trumps industry standard.

[Michael Bush]

The only issue is that the hive has to have movable combs so that it can be inspected.  I know of no state, no matter how it is stated in the law, that will not allow a TBH.  Even Florida, which specifies a "Langstroth" hive in the law will allow a top bar hive.  The only issue is movable comb so that the hive can be inspected for AFB.