Existing state law recognizes the importance of managed honeybees. Per the California Food Agricultural Code (FAC), "a healthy and vibrant apiary industry is important to the economy and welfare of the people of the State of California." (FAC Division 13, Chapter 1, Article 1, Section 29000). The health of managed honeybees gained national attention in 2006 following an unsustainable, 50% overwinter loss rate of commercial honey bees. Continued honeybee losses can jeopardize not only commercial bee keepers, but the numerous crops that benefit from, or in the case of almonds, entirely depend on the honey bee. Recognizing the critical role of insect pollinators in producing the wide variety of fruit, vegetables, nuts and other crops that feed the nation and the world, federal funding was made available for conservation and research to improve health of honeybees and other key pollinators. A report from 2012 concluded that on-going honeybee losses were the result of the combined effects of four key honey bee stressors: Pests and parasites; nutrition and lack of forage; pesticide exposure; and genetics.
The main objectives of the Bee Safe Program are to reduce honeybee stressors through: improved apiary (a place where bees are kept), theft prevention efforts, decreased apiary pest pressure, decreased apiary stress due to pesticide exposure, and increased apiary foraging opportunities. County Agricultural Commissioners are granted authority identified in the Food and Agricultural Code to enforce various apiary and pest prevention laws (i.e. registration, identification, and placement of hives; inspection and abatement of pests) intended to ensure the vitality of the beekeeping industry and to prevent the introduction into or the spread within the state of pests.
A negative action would result in loss of revenue to the CCC Agricultural Department and a possible threat to the honeybee population not only in Contra Costa County, but statewide.