In Arkansas, beekeeping is regulated to protect the health of honeybee colonies and the rights of established beekeepers. Key regulations include apiary registration, mandatory movable frames for hives, and restrictions on establishing new apiaries within a certain radius of existing ones.
Apiary Registration: Beekeepers must register the locations of their apiaries with the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. This process is free and helps the state notify beekeepers about disease outbreaks in their area. Registration requires providing details like the quarter section, section number, township/range numbers, and latitude/longitude of the apiary location.
Movable Frames: Arkansas law mandates that bees be kept in hives with movable frames, allowing for thorough inspection for diseases like foulbrood.
Establishment of New Apiaries: A "three-mile rule" exists, meaning that a new apiary cannot be established within three miles of an existing, registered apiary without the consent of the existing beekeeper, unless it's on the beekeeper's own land. This rule protects existing beekeepers' pasturage rights and prevents the spread of disease.
Certificate of Health: A certificate of health, issued by a state apiary inspector, is required for moving colonies within the state, selling bees, or transporting them into Arkansas from out of state.
Honey Labeling: Honey sold in Arkansas must be labeled with the packer's contact information (name and address), with a font size of at least 1/16″ tall. If a beekeeper bottles honey from another beekeeper, their own contact information must be included.
Additional Considerations: Beekeepers should also be aware of local regulations regarding business permits and sales tax, as well as the importance of proper hive management and pest control.
For classes: Beekeeping classes in AR.
