| Kern County - BEE PROTECTION POLICY |
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE THEODORE K. DAVIS LOUIE I. CERVANTES DAVID J. MOORE November, 2000 Beekeepers addressed: Enclosed you will find an Apiary Registration form for 2001 and a copy of the Almonds - Bee Protection Policy. The California Food and Agricultural Code requires every person that is the owner or is in possession of an apiary which is located within the state to register, by January 30, the number of colonies in each apiary and the location of each apiary. As of January 1, 2001 if you own, operate or are in possession of an apiary located within Kern County you must complete the enclosed registration form and return the white copy along with a $10.00 registration fee to the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner's Office, 1001 South Mountain Vernon Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93307. Payment by check or money order must be made payable to the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner. If you wish to be notified before application of a pesticide moderately or highly toxic to bees, complete the Request for Pesticide Notification portion of the enclosed form. You must designate a two-hour period between 6:00 a.rn. and 8:00 p.m. each day, during which time you will be available for contact, at your expense, to receive advance notice from persons intending to apply pesticides. Also as a reminder - Identification of Apiaries: 29046. (a) No person shall maintain an apiary on premises other than that of his or her residence unless the apiary is identified as follows: (1) By a sign that is prominently displayed on the entrance side of the apiary or stenciled on the hive, that states in dark letters not less than one inch in height on a background of contrasting color, the name of the owner or person responsible for the apiary, his or her address and telephone, or if he or she has no telephone, a statement to that effect. (b) No person shall locate or maintain an apiary on private land not owned or leased by the person unless the person has approval from the owner of record, or an authorized agent thereof, and can establish approval upon demand of the director or commissioner. The approval shall include the name and phone number of the person granting approval. Failure to register with the Agriculture Commissioner is a violation of the law. If you have any questions concerning this matter, please contact Craig Foy of my staff at (661) 868-6300. Sincerely, Because of the necessity for bees to pollinate almonds and the need to treat crops nearby, the following procedures will be in effect: No Group I materials (highly toxic to bees), as specified in U.C. Leaflet #2883, will be sprayed within one mile of almond orchards that are being pollinated by bees. EXCEPT: 2. If fields to which insecticide is to be applied are free from crop or weed bloom and verified by a recognized expert, (Pest Control Advisor or Ag. Commissioner representative) authorization to spray may be given. A statement of this condition must be on the P.C.A.'s written recommendation. 3. If bloom is completed in the almonds and bees are no longer necessary for pollination, clearance to notify beekeepers and authority to spray may be granted by the Commissioner's Office. 4. Special consideration may be given to particular crops such as nectarines, plums, peaches and apples. If pesticide applications become necessary, contact the Commissioner's Office. For your convenience, the exempted
Group I materials are listed below by their trade name and corresponding
generic name.
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