why not use this as an objective test, rather than 
relying on relative 'stinginess'?   There are very many factors that 
can may a hive appear 'stingy' , most of which have nothing to do with 
their race.

We have discussed this at length in the past. The case roughly parallels the problem with pit bulls and vicious dogs. Many municipalities have banned pit bulls or other breeds, on the assumption that there are "vicious breeds". Laws already exist regarding vicious dogs, if a dog attacks someone without provocation, they can be destroyed by law. 

However, there is direct correlation between dog breed and meanness. Same with bees, there is no objective metric you can apply to a bee that will reliably tell you if it is a mean bee, other than the behavior itself. 

Just as it would be ridiculous to confiscate someone's pet dog because it "looked" like a pit bull, or tested positive for "meanness" DNA, even though it was a perfectly agreeable dog. Equally, it would be wrong to put down an animal that attacked someone in self defense if it was unreasonably provoked. 

Most people who have thought about it agree that there is no reason to kill colonies of bees on the basis of wing vein patterns, or African genetic markers, or even if they are somewhat aggressive. If they are abnormally uncontrollable, it would be foolish and irresponsible to keep them near people or animals, or move them on highly trafficked roads.

But as we have seen, many people keep African bees successfully in more remote places, and there is no need for government interference in this activity at all. There are already laws regarding creating a public nuisance with bees, there is simply no "objective test" that can tell you if bees will be inclined to sting, they have to be caught in the act.

Pete

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