DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Repeal of Quarantine [31 Pa.B. 825] Under the authority granted it under § 2104 of the Agriculture Code (3 Pa.C.S. § 2104), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture established a limited Quarantine in an effort to keep the ''small hive beetle'' scientifically designated Aethina tumida, from entering the Commonwealth. The Order of Quarantine took effect on March 2, 1999, and was published at 29 Pa.B. 1401 (March 19, 1999). This Notice repeals that Order of Quarantine.
Background
At the time the referenced Order of Quarantine was issued, small hive beetles were not known to be present in this Commonwealth, and were thought to be present only in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. Since that Order of Quarantine took effect, though, small hive beetles have become established in this Commonwealth, New York, New Jersey and Ohio.
In light of the widespread presence of the small hive beetle in the Commonwealth and surrounding states, the conditions of quarantine set forth in the Order of Quarantine are no longer effective or practical in addressing the problems posed by that insect. The best approach to combating small hive beetles in the Commonwealth is to promote hygienic beekeeping practices. Small hive beetles tend to damage weak bee colonies and honey awaiting extraction from combs. The Beekeeping Advisory Committee met in November of 2000 and voted its unanimous support for the repeal of the Order of Quarantine and the promotion of hygienic beekeeping practices to combat the small hive beetle.
The Bee Law provisions (3 Pa.C.S. §§ 2101--2117) of the Agriculture Code provide authority for this Order.
Order Repealing Quarantine
The Quarantine Order issued by the Department of Agriculture on March 2, 1999 (and published at 29 Pa.B. 1401 (March 19, 1999)) with respect to the small hive beetle is hereby repealed.
This Order is effective January 24, 2001, and shall remain in force until further notice.
SAMUEL E. HAYES, Jr.,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-224. Filed for public inspection February 9, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]
