Code of Maine Rules
01 - DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSERVATION AND FORESTRY
001 - AGRICULTURE - GENERAL
Chapter 270 - MAINE APIARY RULES AND REGULATIONS
INTRODUCTION
Section 001-270-VI - Inspection

1. The State Apiarist and part-time bee inspectors employed by the Commissioner shall make such inspections of the apiaries or hive locations throughout the State as the Commissioner deems necessary to determine the presence of regulated honeybee diseases, parasites, or unwanted genetic material.

2. State apiary inspectors shall, so far as practicable, inspect or cause to be inspected at least once each year any or all apiaries within the State of Maine.

3. State apiary inspectors may enter at all reasonable times, upon the premises or apiary locations of any beekeeper to examine bees, equipment, and appliances to determine the presence of regulated honeybee diseases, parasites, or unwanted genetic stock..

1. Inspection shall include lifting brood-containing frames from the colony and examining the brood on both sides of the frame for evidence of disease.

2. Adult and immature honeybees will be sampled for parasitic mites according to the most current sampling technique described by USDA-Agricultural Research Service (ARS) or USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

1. Upon finding a colony to be diseased with American foul brood in any degree, the inspector shall plainly mark on each hive body, super, and cover of such diseased colony, the letters "AFB" preceded by a numeral indicating the total number of hive bodies and supers occupied by the diseased colony, followed by the date and the initials of the state apiary inspector.

2. The entrances of such diseased colonies will be reduced and cracks between supers will be sealed to prevent robbing and further spread of disease.

1. Whenever a state apiary inspector finds that American foul brood disease or regulated mite infestation exists in any apiary, the inspector shall quarantine the apiary by giving written notice to the owner or operator.

2. When such notice has been given as provided above, it shall be unlawful for the owner or operator or any other person to move the apiary, or any part thereof, until the disease has been eradicated and written permission has been received from the state apiary inspector.

3. When in the opinion of the state apiary inspector the disease has been eradicated, the state apiary inspector shall issue a written permit releasing the apiary from quarantine.

1. Any state apiary inspector shall, within 30 days after examination, issue certificates that the honeybee equipment and appliances are apparently free from regulated diseases and parasites and contamination if so found.

2. The certificates shall be filed as follows: one copy to the owner, and one copy to the state apiary inspector's files.