NY S07111

Repeals Section 169-d and reorganizes Article 15 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, establishing new sections on bee diseases including definitions, disease eradication, and a cooperative honey bee health improvement program.

Creates an Apiary Industry Advisory Committee of up to 15 members appointed by the commissioner, with representation from commercial, part-time, and hobbyist beekeepers, horticulture/vegetable industry, and Cornell Cooperative Extension, meeting at least annually.

Establishes a Cooperative Honey Bee Health Improvement Program requiring beekeepers to register the number and location of colonies annually with the Department of Agriculture and Markets at no cost, with the department using this data to communicate disease and parasite information at the county level.

Mandates that sellers of nucleus colonies and queens obtain annual departmental inspections confirming freedom from American Foulbrood, with sales prohibitions imposed if the disease is confirmed until reinspection clears the apiaries.

Requires beekeepers to receive written notice and a hearing opportunity before destruction or treatment orders are issued for diseased bees, and expands agricultural tax exemptions to include honey, royal jelly, bee pollen, propolis, and beeswax production structures.