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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 19. AMUSEMENTS, PARKS, AND RECREATION |
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Chapter 19-15. FISH AND WILDLIFE |
Section 19-1527. URBAN APICULTURE: BEE DISEASE
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1527.1A beekeeper shall take measures to control the spread of bee diseases, including American foulbrood.
1527.2A beekeeper shall quarantine the colony if the colony is suspected of having American foulbrood or other bee disease that may pose a risk to the colony, environment, or public health.
1527.3The beekeeper shall immediately notify the Department of the quarantined colony.
1527.4Bees, colonies, and equipment may not be moved from a quarantined area.
1527.5The quarantine will remain in effect until terminated in writing by the Department.
1527.6The Department may investigate to assess the health of a colony. In assessing colony health, the Department shall:
(a)Consider all evidence obtained or presented; or
(b)Request a test from the United States Department of Agriculture Bee Research Laboratory.
1527.7The Department shall provide the results of the health assessment of the colony to the beekeeper by personal service, posting, or prepaid mail.
1527.8A colony with an untreatable disease, like American foulbrood, shall be destroyed and the hive and equipment incinerated. The beekeeper must contact the District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (FEMS) Fire Marshal for an open burning permit and instructions prior to incinerating a diseased hive.
1527.9The Department may order a beekeeper to take measures to control the spread of bee diseases.
1527.10The Department shall treat or destroy the bees, hives, and honey of a beekeeper who fails to take measures ordered by the Department to control or eradicate bee disease.
1527.11The Department may require the beekeeper or property owner to reimburse the costs it incurs to eradicate bee disease.
1527.12The beekeeper may contest the health assessment and the measures ordered by the Department to control or eradicate the bee disease by requesting a hearing with the District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH).