OK to transport bees through Alabama?

[apis maximus]

If one picks up some nucs from MS can then, drive back home and just transit through Alabama?
Does the no comb law in Al apply to transit/transport bees through the State of Al or to importing bees on comb into the State of Al? Anybody can provide a link to the actual No comb law?
Thanks!

[Nantom670]

Don't know about Alabama but you will need a state inspection form to carry them through the state of Tn. You can go to the Tn State site and search permit for transporting bees in and through Tn. This is from their web page;
Please remember that by law all honey bee colonies in the state of Tennessee are required to be registered with this office. All honey bees and used equipment transported into, out of, within or through the state of Tennessee are required by law to be inspected. http://www.tn.gov/agriculture/regula...stration.shtml

Of course I think if you get that MS state inspection certificate that is what is required for passing through the state, not sure though.

[notaclue]

You need a state inspection form to get them legally through Arkansas. Not an Arkansas state inspection but one from the state of origin by an official state inspector.

[beehugheshoney]

It doesn't restrict interstate transport. You don't have anything to worry about. The Tennessee law was written that broadly so it would limit the number of large shipments that were moved in, out, around etc. But the purpose of the code is simply to allow incoming or outgoing colonies to be inspected. The equitable interpretation is that it would pertain to sizable loads as the threat of invading pests or diseases would be very low in a passing load, and immeasurable in a passing few.

The US supreme court is the only authority that can sanction interstate travel between states. It's part of what makes us the "UNITED states". Think of UPS or the post office. How often do you think they stop at the bee inspectors office to show their "papers" for packages, nucs, queens, etc? Don't stress it. Your just passing through.

[apis maximus]

Thanks for the replies.
So, if the nucs are released in MS with inspection certificates, one could drive OK through TN but not AL?

[beehugheshoney]

You can drive through any state, regardless of that states laws.

[beehugheshoney]

What I mean is that the laws are either for large loads passing through that may stop for rest or fuel or food, OR for active colonies that will remain within that state for more than 12 hours. How many nucs are you transporting? If its less than 50, I don't know of a state that would consider it worth their time to care. Generally, Mississippi doesn't want to inspect anything until you are going to use them for bee production.

[baldwinbees]

not only do we have a no comb law,but a 'snitch ' payment also.I'm not exactly sure,but if you bring in comb&I snitch,&you get caught I'll get a % of the fines.this is a great ??? for Ted K..by the way,when were you gonna get those nucs????works been slow here!

[apis maximus]

Thanks beehugheshoney.

I will have 5 nucs. Just wanted to understand what risks, if any might be involved.
The idea of coming to a road check point ( which nowadays are popping everywhere) and having the bees confiscated and having an "intelligent/sophisticated" conversation with an overzealous "official" does not appeal to me very much. Ohhh,...the things we do for our bees

"Snitch payment"?...wow. Yes indeed, interesting times we live in....

[beehugheshoney]

That's only if you bring them into Alabama to stay. Someone over there that has some pull in the code writing also has some desire to make a nuc sellers market tighter. It hurts everyone in the state, except for that guy. Good ol Ted could have been sending hives out to pollenation or gotten hives in from doc to produce honey since all doc wants is to shake a package or select from what works the best. But till they get that code kicked out, they are stuck with the stink of it all. You'll be fine and if you get pulled over, just tell them your smuggling in illegal aliens. They will let you roll right on then. Ha ha ha!