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Food Justice Action Alert 
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advocating a just and sustainable food system for New
York City
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January 2010
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Just Food's NYC Beekeeping Legalization Campaign Link
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 This is the moment that
supporters of legalizing beekeeping in NYC have been waiting for. The
Department of Health is proposing changes to it's Health Code that
would once again make honey beekeeping legal in NYC!
Between now and Wednesday, February 3rd, you have the opportunity to
lend your voice in support of lifting the beekeeping ban. The Department
of Health is accepting both oral and written testimony on their
proposed changes (see proposed text below) to Article 161, the section
of the Health Code that addresses all "Animal" issues,
including bees.
Every voice is important! This proposal by the Department of Health,
which would make honey beekeeping legal in NYC, is only happening
because you signed the petition, mobilized signatures, contributed
research, wrote articles, designed web and print materials, attended or
helped to organize the Beekeeper's Ball, Hidden Hives Tour, Honey Fest,
New York Nectar and City Hall Rally during NYC Pollinator Week. Make
sure you lend your voice in support of lifting the beekeeping ban in
NYC at this vital moment in our campaign!
Give oral testimony: The Department of Health is convening a Public
Hearing on Article 161 on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 from
10am-12pm at the 3rd Floor Boardroom (Room 330), 125 Worth Street, New
York, NY 10013.
The Public Hearing is an opportunity for friend and foe of legalized
beekeeping to voice their views on the Department of Health's proposed
revision to the code.
If you would like to speak at the Public Hearing, it is recommended you
pre-register by contacting Rena Bryant, Secretary to the Board of
Health via phone (212.788.5010) or snail mail (125 Worth Street CN-31,
NY, NY 10013) by 5pm on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Be sure to include
your full name and phone number. Speakers will be allowed to speak for
5 minutes or less.
Submit written testimony: If you cannot attend the Public
Hearing but want to lend your voice in support of the Department of
Health's proposal, you should send your written comments on the
proposal (1-2 pages maximum) to Rena Bryant via fax (212.788.4315) email
or online between now and 5pm on Wednesday, February
3, 2010.
What then?: After the Public Hearing, the Department of Health
will consider all oral and written comments and then present their
final proposal for the code's revision to the Board of Health meeting
in March, for their final review. With Board of Health approval of this
revision, the revised code will take effect in 30 days. Beekeeping
could be legal in NYC this April!
Resources: Below, please find the revised text to the bee code
that the Department of Health is proposing, which your testimony should
respond to, as well as some tips for giving public testimony.
For any questions, please contact Nadia. Please let us know if you plan to attend the
Public Hearing, and feel free to share your written testimony with
us...we'd love to hear what you have to say!
Click here for updates and background on Just Food's NYC
Beekeeping Legalization Campaign.
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 Department of Health proposed text amendment to bee
code!
Beekeeping is currently illegal in NYC due to the text in Health Code
Article 161.01 that prohibits the possession, keeping, harboring and
selling of "wild animals," including:
"All venomous insects, including, but not limited to, bee,
hornet and wasp" outlaws beekeeping."
The Department of Health is now moving forward to make honey beekeeping
legal in NYC!
The following is the revised text that the Department of Health is
proposing, which would lift the ban on honey beekeeping, and which you
should be responding to in your oral or written testimony:
"All venomous insects, including, but not limited to, bees
other than non-aggressive honey bees (Apis mellifera), hornet and wasp.
Persons keeping honey bees shall file a notice with the Department, on
a form provided or approved by the Department, containing the
beekeeper's name, address, telephone, email and fax numbers, emergency
contact information, and location of the hive, and they shall notify
the Department within ten business days of any changes to such
information. Beekeepers shall adhere to appropriate beekeeping
practices including maintaining bee colonies in moveable-frame hives
that are kept in sound and usable condition; providing a constant and
adequate water source; locating hives so that the movement of bees does
not become an animal nuisance, as defined in 161.02 of this Article;
and shall be able to respond immediately to control bee swarms and to
remediate nuisance conditions."
The beekeeping section of the animal nuisance definition referred to
above and outlined in Article 161.02 reads:
"A beekeeping nuisance shall mean conditions that include, but
not be limited to, aggressive or objectionable bee behaviors, hive
placement or bee movement that interferes with pedestrian traffic or
persons residing on or adjacent to the hive premises; and overcrowded,
deceased or abandoned hives."
Click here to read the full Notice of Intention to Amend
Article 161 of the NYC Health Code.
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 Tips for giving public
testimony at the bee code hearing
Whether you're a
seasoned public speaker or a newbee, it's crucial that you ensure the
Department of Health hears your voice on the proposed changes to
Article 161 that would lift the beekeeping ban. Here are a few tips for
you to consider when preparing your oral and written testimony:
- Prepare
your comments in advance in writing. Outline the main points you
want to convey, and build your remarks from there.
- State
who you are, and who you represent if applicable.
- Address
the specific language proposed by the Department of Health (see
text above). If you support the entire proposal, say this and why.
If you would like to see some of the proposal revised, come with
specific language changes you would wish to see and describe
why you think your revision is important.
- Practice
speaking your remarks in advance of the Hearing. If you practice
in front of a mirror or a small audience, you'll become more
comfortable at the Hearing and also be certain your remarks are
within the 5 minute limit.
- Bring
15 printed copies of your remarks to the Hearing, in case someone
requests them after you testify.
- Be
brief and clear.
- Be
respectful and professional.
- Thank
the Department and Board of Health for their time and attention to
this issue.
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