TITLE 2. AGRICULTURE

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Initial Agency Notice

Title of Regulation: 2VAC5-319. Best Management Practices for the Operation of Apiaries in Order to Limit Operator Liability.

Statutory Authority: § 3.2-4411.1 of the Code of Virginia.

Name of Petitioner: C. B. Ecker.

Nature of Petitioner's Request: Petitioner requests amendments to 2VAC5-319, Best Management Practices for the Operation of Apiaries in Order to Limit Operator Liability, to (i) provide a mechanism to offer public comment regarding the regulation via a regional apiary inspector; (ii) establish provisions for short-term waivers, long-term waivers, and permanent exemptions from the best management practices included in the regulation; and (iii) authorize the Virginia State Beekeepers Association's website as an official communication outlet for the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) and direct VDACS to establish or reinitiate official communication with certain entities to communicate honey beekeeping policy to best inform apiarists without broadband service.

Agency Plan for Disposition of Request: The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services will consider this request at its next scheduled meeting following the public comment period. This meeting will occur on December 7, 2017.

Public Comment Deadline: September 10, 2017.

Agency Contact: Debra Martin, Program Manager, Office of Plant Industry Services, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218, telephone (804) 786-3515, or email debra.martin@vdacs.virginia.gov.

VA.R. Doc. No. R17-20; Filed July 24, 2017, 9:57 a.m.