New York Statewide Apiary Inspection and Beekeeping Law

Sections 161 through 169 of the Agriculture and Markets Law require beekeepers to maintain disease-free apiaries and submit to inspection by the Department. The statute authorizes the Commissioner to quarantine, treat, or destroy infected colonies and regulates interstate movement of bees and equipment. While zoning of hives remains a local matter, sanitary and disease standards apply uniformly across the state.

Failure to comply with inspection orders, importing diseased bees, or refusing treatment can result in civil penalties, hive destruction without compensation, and criminal misdemeanor charges.