Nebraska Statewide Rule
Nebraska Beekeeping: Bee Disease Reporting and Quarantine Law
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Neb. Rev. Stat. 81-2,170
- Enforcing agency
- Nebraska Dept. of Agriculture
- Disease reporting
- Mandatory, report at once
- Penalty
- Class III misdemeanor
- Foulbrood movement
- Special written permit required
Summary
Nebraska does not license backyard beekeeping, but the Nebraska Apiary Act makes it unlawful to knowingly keep untreated diseased colonies and requires owners to report contagious bee diseases, parasites, or pests to the Department of Agriculture at once.
It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to keep in his or her possession, without proper treatment, any colony of bees affected with any bee diseases, parasites, or pests or to expose any diseased or parasitized colony or infected hive or bee equipment so that flying bees may have access to them. Any person who knows that bees owned or controlled by him or her are affected with contagious or infectious diseases, parasites, or pests shall at once report such fact to the department stating all facts known to him or her with reference to the contagion or infection.
Full Breakdown
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. section 81-2,170, any Nebraska beekeeper who knows their bees carry a contagious or infectious disease, parasite, or pest must immediately report it to the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and knowingly keeping an untreated affected colony is unlawful. The Department may quarantine an infected apiary until it releases the quarantine, post a notice in the yard, and notify the owner in writing. When American foulbrood is found, no colony, honey, or bee equipment may leave the apiary without a special written permit. The director may also quarantine part of the state against exotic pests.
Violations & Penalties
Violating any provision of the Nebraska Apiary Act is a Class III misdemeanor (section 81-2,179), punishable by up to three months imprisonment, a $500 fine, or both, and infected colonies may be destroyed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to keep bees in Nebraska?
What happens if American foulbrood is found in my hive?
What is the penalty for violating the Apiary Act?
Sources
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