Quarantine Notice [29 Pa.B. 1401] Under the authority granted it under § 2104 of the Agriculture Code (3 Pa.C.S. § 2104), the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture hereby establishes a limited Quarantine in an effort to keep the ''small hive beetle'' scientifically designated Aethina tumida, from entering the Commonwealth.
Background. The small hive beetle has been found in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, and has not yet been found in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The movement of honey bees by man contributes to the spread of small hive beetles.
When small hive beetles are introduced into a colony of bees, they pose a serious threat to the health and survival of the colony. For this reason, small hive beetles pose a serious threat to the economic well-being of the bee industry, and to the economic well-being of those segments of the fruit and vegetable production industries that depend on commercial bee hives for pollination of plants.
The Bee Law provisions (3 Pa.C.S. §§ 2101-2117) of the Agriculture Code provide authority for this Quarantine Order.
Conditions of Quarantine.
1. For purposes of this Order, the term ''small hive beetle'' shall mean the species of insect scientifically known as Aethina tumida.
2. The transportation of honey bees into the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from states where the small hive beetle has been found (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina), or is subsequently found, is prohibited unless the appropriate official of the state of origin issues written certification that the honey bees are free of small hive beetles and their larvae. The written certification shall accompany the honey bees in transit.
3. A Beekeeper who receives a shipment of honey bees from a state in which small hive beetles have been found (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina), or are subsequently found, shall maintain adequate and complete records of the point of origin of the honey bees, as well as the written certification that the honey bees are free of small hive beetles and their larvae.
4. The Department of Agriculture will conduct surveys throughout Pennsylvania as deemed necessary to detect the presence of small hive beetles. Beekeepers shall provide Department of Agriculture personnel with free access to their hives and records, as they are required to do under § 2110 of the Agriculture Code (3 Pa.C.S. § 2110).
5. This Order is effective March 2, 1999, and shall remain in force until further notice.
SAMUEL E. HAYES, Jr.,
Secretary[Pa.B. Doc. No. 99-410. Filed for public inspection March 12, 1999, 9:00 a.m.]
