Johnson City, NY – On Thursday, June 24^th, Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo visited the apiary of local beekeeper and Southern Tier Beekeepers Association member Bob Talkiewicz to commemorate Pollinator Week (June 21-27). She was also there todiscuss legislation she championed which was called up this week by the Governor and signed into law.

Her bill (A7568/S7111), which passed through both houses unanimously earlier this month, supports the health of honeybees and protects pollinators from risk of disease by strengthening the state’s current Pollinator Protection Plan. This bill creates a beehive registry, at no cost to beekeepers, and requires, with prior notice, the annual inspections of apiaries. This will assist NYS Ag & Markets with monitoring the health of honeybees across the state and allow for increased collaboration with beekeepers to prevent the spread of diseases. The bill also adds more honeybee products to those that qualify for Agricultural Value Assessments and farm building tax exemptions.

Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, Chair, Assembly Agriculture Committee said,“Honeybees play a vital role in agriculture and help ensure food security within our communities. This legislation will bolster research capabilities, oversight, and increase collaboration to ensure our pollinators are better protected. I am glad that both houses of the legislature unanimously supported our efforts to protect our honeybees.”

Bob Talkiewicz, local Beekeeper Southern Tier Beekeeper Association membersaid, “Thank you to Assemblymember Lupardo for her work to protect honeybees. As a beekeeper involved in several beekeeping organizations, I am aware of the many challenges to keeping our bees healthy.This legislation will help minimize the spread of pathogens affecting honeybees, to protect these pollinators.

Earlier this week, the Security Mutual building in downtown Binghamton was lit in orange and yellow to commemorate Pollinator Week.