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Louisiana Bee Keeping Regulations

Under Louisiana Apiary Regulations, State Register, Title 7, Part XXI, Chapter 25, a beekeeper is any "individual, firm or corporation, who owns or has charge of one or more colonies of bees." These regulations set out the state law relating to keeping bees and provide information on the different permits and certificates required for different beekeeping practices.

Registration Requirements
- Every beekeeper in Louisiana is required to apply for a registration permit.
  
  Before bringing any honeybees or related equipment into Louisiana, and in any event on or before October 1 every year, every beekeeper must register each of his bee colonies or apiaries with the commissioner. Thereafter every beekeeper is registered as a Class A or a Class B permit holder. Eligibility for a Class A permit depends on being a resident of the state or having held a Class B permit for three consecutive years with no violations. Fees for registration are calculated according to how many bee colonies the beekeeper controls or owns.
Trading Regulations
- It is a violation to sell bees and related equipment in Louisiana without a valid certificate.
  
  The registration permits do not entitle the beekeeper to propagate and sell bees; for this, a Nursery Certificate Permit is required. Application for this permit must be submitted by February 1 each year; this application must provide a map confirming the location of every apiary from which bees are to be moved or sold. Certificates issued for registration shall not allow the holder to sell bees or regulated articles as is provided for with a certificate of inspection. To be entitled to buy and re-sell nursery stock, a Nursing Stock Dealer Permit permit is required.
Inspections
- If an agent suspects that a violation has occurred, they have the right to inspect all the bees and the equipment at the apiary.
  
  Under Louisiana state law, all department agents are authorized to enter any state property in order to inspect any honeybees and related equipment, provided there is probable cause to suggest that there have been apiary law violations or that the bees or equipment may be infected with any contagious or infectious diseases. If the agents find evidence of any violation or disease, there are procedures that must be followed by the beekeeper in order to resolve the situation; for example, a quarantine may be imposed and a time limit set to get the disease under control before a second inspection is carried out.
Bee Shipments
- A beekeeper needs a certificate of inspection to allow him to ship bees into Louisiana.
  
  Any beekeeper in possession of a valid Class A permit may ship honeybees and used or secondhand beekeeping equipment into the state of Louisiana, provided it is accompanied by a certificate of inspection. Certificates of inspection are issued only where the apiary is not under quarantine and has passed an annual inspection; to pass, the apiary must be free of American foulbrood infection and have any other diseases under control.

Insects & Science