5B-54.0105. Location of Managed Honey Bee Colonies  


Effective on Tuesday, March 27, 2018
  • 1(1) With the permission of the landowner or legal representative, managed European honey bee colonies may be located on either:

    21(a) Land classified as agricultural under Section 28193.461, F.S., 30provided they are compliant with the provisions of Chapter 586, F.S., and all rules promulgated thereunder, or

    47(b) Land classified as non-agricultural under Section 54193.461, F.S., 56that is integral to a beekeeping operation provided the beekeeper signs a Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08492, revised 12/17. This compliance agreement is incorporated herein by reference and may be obtained online at 88http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-0915390.

    91(2) The Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08492, revised 12/17 provides best management requirements for maintaining European honey bee colonies on non-agricultural lands and incorporates swarm prevention techniques as explained in Swarm Control for Managed Beehives (UF-IFAS Publication ENY-160, revised February 2016). UF-IFAS Publication ENY-160 is incorporated herein by reference and a copy may be obtained online at 147http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09156149.

    150(3) The Honey Bee Queen Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08419, Revised 1/18, provides best management requirements for maintaining Honey Bee Queens. This agreement is incorporated herein by reference and available online at 180http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09152182.

    183(4) Special Permits – The Division Director shall issue a special permit for the placement of managed honey bee colonies on lands other than agricultural that do not meet the requirements within the Beekeeper Compliance Agreement, FDACS-08492, revised 12/17 provided the property is determined to be integral to a beekeeping operation based on the following standards and conditions:

    241(a) The property owner must submit a written request to the Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Plant and Apiary Inspection that includes a map of the property with the proposed number and location of the managed honey bee colonies;

    281(b) The property owner must submit a written explanation of the justification for a special permit, including measures that will be taken to mitigate any best management requirements that cannot be met and any other special circumstances that are relevant; and,

    322(c) Agreement from the Division that a special permit is justified and the beekeeping operation will not pose a public nuisance or unacceptable safety concern.

    347(d) Apiary locations shall be registered to include the physical location by street address or a geographic coordinate.

    365(5) Managed European honey bee colonies not in compliance with Section 376586.10(1), F.S., 378and this section shall be issued a Notice of Non-Compliance for Maintaining European Honey Bee Colonies, FDACS-08499, revised 07/17, which is incorporated herein by reference and may be obtained online at 409http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-09154411.

    412Rulemaking Authority 414586.10 FS. 416Law Implemented 418586.045, 419586.055, 420586.10(1), 421586.10(3), 422586.15 FS. 424History–New 1-1-14, Amended 3-27-18.

     

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