Like Allen, at one time I was a bee inspector...in NYS.  NYS inspectors are
certainly not public health officials, and I doubt they are anywhere.
Animal health inspectors, certainly.

As far as AFB is concerned, bee inspectors have the full force of NYS law
behind them, but it is clear that there are virtually no circumstances when
a sheriff or similar enforcement official would be called.

NYS inspectors routinely 'pass' frames and hives with lots of scale.  The
attitude is that if the disease is not in the vegetive stage, it isn't
there!  Further, it is well recognized that in commercial situations few
yards are seen without scale.

Clearly NYS inspectors are educating the hobbyists, and burning hives.  Is
it worth the money for the control achieved?  I doubt it.  I'd feel
different if every frame with scale had to be destroyed...but then there
would be far fewer commercial beekeepers in NYS.

Lloyd
Lloyd Spear, Owner Ross Rounds, Inc.
Manufacturers of Ross Rounds Comb
Honey Equipment, Sundance Pollen Traps
and Custom Printer of Sundance Labels.

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