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No Mandatory Registration for Beekeepers in New York

No Mandatory Registration for Beekeepers in
New York


Update:

2021, a new Bill with a new number being fast tracked, AGAIN,
            Senate Bill on floor for a vote S7111, Assembly Bill   NY AO7568,       text
As usual, slipped in at the last minute, during one of the busiest times of the beekeeping year; it passed in the Assembly Agriculture Committee 5 days  (May 19)after introduction (May 14, 2021).

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New bills have been introduced to the NYS Legislature, again, in 2019.

The Bills should remove any mandatory registration, as it is an absolute hot button (nuclear strength) in NY that will only cause unnecessary anger and tension. Peter Borst in the June 2019 American Beekeeping Journal (ABJ) writes about apiary programs in the USA; some states have good programs with voluntary registration; having mandatory registration in other states does not prevent high winter loss and AFB incidence. Forcing it on beekeepers isn't worth the battle and is non-productive.

    Beekeepers should look at the Bill (senate & assembly versions are similar but different) and coordinate their comments with the numbered line(s) in the Bill, and discuss with their respective groups.

Links:

         NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association)Resolution
                      Senate Bill                                   Assembly Bill
                      Petition                                          Comments from the Petition 

        
         Contact page

Beekeepers throughout the state are opposed to any mandatory registration to require traceability of hives and their beekeepers, citing: lack of transparency by Albany, lack of services, misuse of information, creating onerous and politically motivated regulations, and adding fees to an already costly profession.
In 2007 there was a similar scenario, where legislation was quietly slipped into the legislature at the end of the NYS legislative session without the knowledge of most beekeepers. The Bill was enacted as law, but a major effort by NYS beekeepers was undertaken to successfully repeal the law in 2010.
Since 2010 there has been a registration form on the NYS Agriculture & Market website, and over the years many beekeepers have voluntarily registered their apiaries, but:
The current registration form states that by registering, you will be notified of bee health developments---that is not true, as communication has been lacking. Albany needs to provide notification and communication now for the beekeepers already registered and other beekeepers for: county spraying for mosquitoes, use of bee toxic substances for tick abatement, outbreaks of honey bee disease such as American Foulbrood, before making promises of future notification and requiring mandatory registration, otherwise they are just collecting names.
A hive and frame fumigation chamber centrally located in NYS would be extremely helpful in controlling pathogens.

To many, mandatory registration may seem innocuous and helpful (it’s about bees!), but better outreach and communication instead of a heavy handed regulation would be more helpful to beekeepers.

Until better channels of truly informed, open communications take place among all beekeepers, mandatory registration should not be attempted. What is needed is to form a consensus of what would constitute an acceptable Apiary Program.

The online Petition:
Sign the Online Petition
Picture
NOFA-NY's  2019 Resolution for NYS to improve the Apiary Program (Northeast Organic Farming Association of NY)
nofa_apiary_resolution_2019.pdf
File Size: 479 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Press

NY beekeepers abuzz on state's mandatory hive registration proposal

Posted Jun 6, 2018
The New York Senate Agriculture Committee created a lot of buzz in the beekeeping community Tuesday afternoon after voting in favor of a mandatory beekeeper registration.
In a 11-0 vote, the committee approved the proposed bill sponsored by Sen. Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton), which calls for the development of a beekeeper registry "with the goal of protecting the health and well-being of bees."
But Central New York beekeepers are less confident the bill is in their best interest. Both commercial and recreational beekeepers have expressed concerns regarding the impact the proposed legislation could have on agribusinesses and affordability, citing spiked honey and produce prices as a potential result.
www.syracuse.com/state/index.ssf/2018/06/local_beekeepers_abuzz_on_states_mandatory_hive_registration_proposal.html

Stung by critics, amendments made to proposed NYS beekeeping bill

Posted Jun 8, 2018
Following criticism from commercial and recreational beekeepers in upstate New York, the New York Senate Agriculture Committee plans to amend a proposed beekeeper registry bill.www.syracuse.com/state/index.ssf/2018/06/senate_agriculture_committee_to_amend_beekeeping_bill_after_industry_criticism.html
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