New South Wales Consolidated Acts

APIARIES ACT 1985 - SECT 17

17 Abandoned or neglected bees or associated things

(1) Where an inspector is satisfied on reasonable grounds that any bees, beehives, apiary products or appliances within an apiary are abandoned or neglected, the inspector:

(a) in the case of an apiary which appears to the inspector to be kept by a registered beekeeper:

(i) if the beekeeper can be located within the prescribed time, may direct the beekeeper to take within a period specified in the notice such measures as are so specified (being measures which, in the opinion of the inspector, are necessary to put into order or to dispose of the bees, beehives, products or appliances), or

(ii) if the beekeeper cannot be located within the prescribed time or fails to comply with a direction given under subparagraph (i) within the specified period, may seize the bees, beehives, products or appliances and dispose of them in the prescribed manner, or

(b) in the case of an apiary which appears to the inspector to be kept by a person who is not a registered beekeeper, may seize the bees, beehives, products or appliances and dispose of them in the prescribed manner.

(2) A person who, without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a direction given under subsection (1) (a) (i) is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding 10 penalty units.

(3) A person who is exempted from the requirement to be registered as a beekeeper by the regulations is taken to be a registered beekeeper for the purposes of this section.