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19.58 Interstate movement of bees and used bee equipment.

Subdivision 1. Entry permit. No person may bring into this state any bees on comb, including nuclei, or used bee equipment without an entry permit issued by the commissioner. A person who wishes to bring any bees on comb or used bee equipment into the state shall apply for an entry permit at least 60 days before the date of entry. No entry permit may be issued without a valid compliance agreement signed by the commissioner and the beekeeper. The compliance agreement must be based on the model honeybee certification plan. The 60-day requirement may be waived by the commissioner.

Before entry, any person required to obtain an entry permit shall furnish to the commissioner a copy of a valid certificate of inspection signed by a responsible official of the state where the bees or equipment originated unless the person's bees have been inspected in Minnesota within 12 months before entry. The certificate must be based on an inspection. A person may not bring into the state any bees on comb including nuclei, combless bees, or used bee equipment from any county or parish where Africanized honeybees have been found unless it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the commissioner that there will be no risk of introduction of Africanized honeybees into the state. Bees or equipment brought into the state in violation of this subdivision are a public nuisance and may be destroyed without notice by the commissioner.

This subdivision does not apply to a common carrier transporting bees or used bee equipment from a point of origin outside of the state to a destination outside of the state.

Subd. 2. Certificate of inspection from state of origin. No person may bring any combless bees, including queen bees, into this state without a statement showing the names and addresses of the consignors or shippers, the consignees or persons to whom shipped, and the locality of origin, and a certificate of inspection signed by a responsible official of the state from which it was brought. The statement must appear clearly and legibly in a conspicuous place on the package containing the material, or on a tag or other device attached to the package or the vehicle carrying the package. The certificate of inspection must show that the beekeeper is using certified European queen bees in all colonies.

Subd. 3. Repealed, 1993 c 233 s 13

Subd. 4. Effect of inspection certificates. A certificate of inspection from another state is prima facie evidence of the facts stated in the certificate. The commissioner may inspect any bees or used bee equipment brought into the state with a certificate of inspection from the state of origin and may subject the materials to treatment or return them to the consignor at the consignor's expense if the commissioner finds Africanized honeybees.

Subd. 5. Denial of permit. The commissioner may deny a permit for just cause after five days' notice and an opportunity for the person to be heard.

Subd. 6. Repealed, 1984 c 517 s 8

Subd. 7. Repealed, 1993 c 233 s 13

Subd. 8. Repealed, 1993 c 233 s 13

Subd. 9. Nuisance; removal. Bees and used bee equipment brought into the state in violation of this section may be declared a nuisance by the commissioner, and must be removed from the state within seven days after notification by the commissioner. If the bees and used bee equipment are not removed from the state, the commissioner may proceed as provided in section 19.56.

HIST: 1983 c 31 s 9; 1984 c 517 s 4,5; 1987 c 396 art 11 s 3; 1993 c 233 s 6-8

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes