(a) Any person wanting to move live bees in beehives or empty brood combs (combs that have been used for rearing bee brood) into the state must apply to the department for an entry permit. The application shall be accompanied by a certificate of health from the originating state’s regulatory agency certifying that all bees and beehives and used brood combs have been inspected by an authorized official thirty (30) days prior to transportation into Tennessee. The certificate of health must show what diseases and pests were found as a result of the inspection. The state apiarist shall review the application and the health certificate and will determine whether or not an entry permit shall be granted and what conditions or requirements must be met prior to entry.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 44-15-113
Apiary: means a collection of one (1) or more colonies of bees in beehives at a location. See Tennessee Code 44-15-102
Appliances: means any apparatus, tools, machines or other devices used in handling and manipulating bees, honey, and wax that may be used in an apiary, or in transporting bees and their products and apiary supplies. See Tennessee Code 44-15-102
Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
State apiarist: means that person employed by the department who has the qualifications prescribed by this chapter and has been designated as state apiarist by the commissioner. See Tennessee Code 44-15-102
(b) Any person, firm or corporation transporting colonies or used beekeeping equipment into, within, or through the state must secure the hives and equipment in such a manner as to prevent the escape of bees.(c) The state apiarist and all apiary inspectors shall be empowered to intercept any person or persons transporting colonies or appliances to determine if the person or persons have the required inspection certificates.(d) Colonies, beehives, slumgums, used bee equipment or appliances brought into this state in violation of this chapter or any applicable rules and regulations of the department shall be removed by the owner from this state and returned to their state of origin within five (5) days after notification by the department. Failure to comply may result in confiscation as provided in § 44-15-117 without any remuneration to the owner.
