Florida Increases Penalty for Bee Colony Theft


New Penalty for Bee Colony Theft


          The penalties for stealing bee hives in Florida doubled on October 1st. Local residents are voicing their concerns. There are declining populations, efforts to save them and growing backyard beekeeping. 
          "This is where they're living, this is where they're making honey and where I want to make them cut comb honey," says Newberry resident Seth Young, as he points to his bee panels.
          Young checks on his bee hives everyday since he left the army. Since it's become his main source of income, he worries about theft.
          The Newberry Beekeeper says, he profits about 800 to 1000 dollars per year per bee hive. He says he uses the honey for various products such as wax for candles and cosmetic products such as lotion bars.

          Theft:Florida Couple Charged with Stealing $76K worth of Honey The Miami New Times

         Experts assure honeybees are essential for citrus and blueberry agriculture. University of Florida Bee Lab Manager, Brandon Stenford, says "The most important thing they do is pollinate crops. When a bee pollinates crops it allows crops to produce fruit and last year they added about 18 billion dollars to the ag[riculture] industry."
        He says about 30% of the food that we eat is dependent on honey bees. There's reportedly about 2000 bees in that one frame and in the state of Florida there is about 500,000 bee colonies.

        Law: New State Law Imposes Heavy Fines For Beehive Theft from WFSU News 
 
         In 2016, over 1,200 hives were stolen in the state of Florida, according to reports.
         Charlotte County is no stranger to calls on bee hive thefts. Thomas Convoy from the police department explains the process, "We would send a deputy to the scene and meet with the victim and we would entertain a formal complaint at that point."
            When Seth is asked where he keeps the rest of his hives, his lips are sealed.
 "Absolutely not, no, I like you as a friend I love you but you won't know where my bees are, sorry mom."

         Video: New Ballot Initiative Could Raise Millions for Alachua Schools WUFT News 

          The penalty would increase from 5,000 TO 10,000 dollars and Seth hopes this will help prevent the crime.           
          Seth Young says without his bees, "I'd be a buzz, but they actually calm me and I'd like to see other veterans get into it, because you know being stung 20 times by a bee is sometimes easier for us than talking to 20 people."

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