7/21/2007 Bethany beekeeping ban questioned by state officials BETHANY, Okla. (AP) -- State officials are buzzing about a ban on beekeeping in Bethany. The Bethany City Council voted Tuesday to ban beekeeping in the city after hearing complaints about aggressive swarms. But state officials say the local rule violates a state law. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association say that under the 2005 Apiary Act, Oklahoma cities and towns can regulate or zone beekeeping, but not ban it. "We need bees," said Jack Carson, spokesman for the Agriculture Department. "This law was passed ... to prevent cities from trying to do this." -- pb ****************************************************** * Full guidelines for BEE-L posting are at: * * http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm * ******************************************************