I lived under fairly draconian conflict of interest rules (in the US
Navy and responsible for multimillion dollar contracts).
The issue with the inspectors is not with hobby beekeepers but
commercial beekeepers. There is no way that any commercial operation
would want their competitors inspecting them. The possibilities of
improper, and worse illegal, actions on the part of the inspector have
to be guarded against. Otherwise, the inspector could have unfair
advantage over their competitors.
The second problem is the inspectors are paid by the State and therefore
are representatives of the State, with the power of government behind
them. Again, you would want controls to keep abuse of power in check.
Otherwise, the inspector could set up rules that only favor the
inspector's operation.
Conflict of Interest rules and laws need to have a balance between
unlawful acts and the ability to get the best, experienced people in the
job. For beekeepers who are inspectors, there should be a line that
approximately keeps their beekeeping operations as non-competitive
compared to commercial operations in the State. Crossing that line puts
them at odds with those they are inspecting. It is a difficult line to
draw, but you could use all commercial operations in the State to
determine the line.
As far as other things, like meals, all the inspector need do is
document them and let their bosses know what they are doing (close
friend, great ribs, whatever). That is usually sufficient, but it is
best to brown bag it. Then there are no issues.
You could also have a different cut-off-line for assistants, since they
would report to and be under the Inspector's supervision.
All of this is well within the ability of a State Bee Association to
influence politically. We got an assistant position for the Inspector in
Maine by going to the Legislature. Even beekeeper's vote. Plus, you can
tell the legislator you have 50,000 employees in each of your many
plants, and they can get angry when treated poorly.
Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine
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