1. Extension Collaborates to Address
Honey House Inspection Regulations
Andrews*, E.L. 1, Delaplane, K.S. 2,
1UGA Cooperative Extension, 162 W. Thigpen Ave., Lakeland, GA 31635; 22UGA Entomologist – Apiculture, Biological Sciences Bldg., Athens, GA 30602-2603
Abstract
The 2009 outbreak of Salmonella in peanut butter in Blakely, GA caused the Georgia Department of Agriculture to update inspection requirements for food processing facilities. Clinch County is the leading
honey producer in the state of Georgia with $4.5 million farm gate value. These updated inspection requirements led to confusion for honey producers about what they needed to do to keep honey houses
used to process honey in compliance. Noncompliance could lead to closure or costly remodeling. Lanier/Clinch Extension Coordinator and beekeepers met with the Georgia Department of Agriculture,
Georgia Beekeepers Association and industry representatives in Perry, Georgia to discuss requirements for inspecting honey houses. As a result of this meeting, the Georgia Department of Agriculture
sought input from Extension and beekeepers to help update this building inspection code. The guidelines drawn up by this cooperative group was titled, Basic Regulatory Requirements for Licensing Honey
Producer. It described the basic requirements which must be met before licensing honey producers. These guidelines then needed to be delivered to honey house owners and producers. Lanier CEC
facilitated a meeting in Homerville, Georgia with 96 beekeepers, Georgia Department of Agriculture presenters, and legislative representatives in attendance. This public meeting allowed the Georgia
Department of Agriculture to review the inspection process of honey houses with Georgia beekeepers and honey processors. One honey producer commented, “These are the timely kind of meetings
beekeepers need so we know what inspectors are looking for.” This collaborative work has led to 100% compliance of honey houses inspected in 2010.
Extension’s Response
Lanier/Clinch Extension Coordinator and Clinch beekeepers
met with the Georgia Department of Agriculture Consumer
Protection Division, Georgia Beekeepers Association and
industry representatives in Perry, Georgia to discuss
requirements for inspecting honey houses. As a result of
this meeting, the Georgia Department of Agriculture
sought input from Extension and beekeepers to help
update this building inspection code. The guidelines
drawn up by this cooperative group was titled, Basic
Situation Regulatory Requirements for Licensing Honey Producer.
Impact
It described the basic requirements which must be met
The outbreak of Salmonella in peanut butter in January before licensing honey producers. These guidelines then
Lanier/Clinch CEC facilitated a meeting in Homerville, Georgia with
2009 in Blakely, GA caused the Georgia Department of needed to be delivered and made clear to honey house
96 beekeepers, Georgia Department of Agriculture Consumer
Agriculture to update inspection requirements for food owners and producers.
Protection Division presenters, and legislative representatives in
processing facilities. Clinch County is the leading honey attendance. This public meeting allowed the Georgia Department of
producer in the state of Georgia with a $4.5million farm Agriculture to review the inspection process of honey houses with
gate value. Updated honey house inspection requirements Georgia beekeepers and honey processors. One honey producer
by the Georgia Department of Agriculture led to confusion commented, “These are the timely kind of meetings beekeepers
for honey producers about what they needed to do to keep need so we know what inspectors are looking for.” This
houses in compliance. Non-compliance could lead to collaborative work has led to 100% compliance of honey houses
closure or costly remodeling. inspected in 2010.