§2306.  Shipment of bees or beekeeping equipment into the state

A.  No person shall move, ship, or bring into this state any colony, honeybees, or beekeeping equipment except as provided in this Section.

B.  Honeybees and used or secondhand beekeeping equipment may be shipped into the state by a person possessing a current Class A permit, but only when accompanied by certification of inspection signed by the state entomologist, state apiary inspector, or similar official of the state or country of such bees' origin.  The certificate shall certify to the apparent freedom of the bees from contagious or infectious diseases and pests and shall be based upon an actual inspection of the bees to be shipped or moved within a period of sixty days preceding the date of shipment.

C.  Combless honeybees may be shipped into the state by a person possessing a current Class B permit but only when accompanied by a certificate of inspection signed by the state entomologist, state apiary inspector, or similar official of the state or country of such bees' origin.  The certificate shall certify to the apparent freedom of the bees from contagious or infectious diseases and shall be based upon an actual inspection of the bees to be shipped or moved within a period of sixty days preceding the date of shipment.

D.  When honeybees are to be shipped or moved into the state from other states or countries where no official state apiary inspector or state entomologist is available, the commissioner, by rule, may permit the shipping into Louisiana of such bees upon presentation of suitable evidence showing the bees to be free from disease.

E.  Notwithstanding Subsections B and C, the commissioner may inspect any honeybees or beekeeping equipment being shipped into this state, even if the honeybees or beekeeping equipment are accompanied by a certificate of inspection issued by another state.  If an inspection of honeybees or beekeeping equipment accompanied by a certificate of inspection of another state reveals the presence of contagious or infectious disease, the commissioner may declare a moratorium on this state's recognition of any certificate of inspection issued by that state until the commissioner determines that the standards of inspection of that state are adequate to ensure the health and safety of Louisiana honeybees at least equal to the standards established by this state.

F.  Except as otherwise permitted in this Section, the movement or shipment into this state of colonies of bees, nuclei, comb package of bees, or used or secondhand beekeeping equipment is prohibited.

Acts 1984, No. 529, §1.