To prevent the introduction into and dissemination within this state of contagious and infectious diseases of honeybees by providing for the registration, inspection, and control of honeybees and apiaries.

A permit is required by any person who sells nursery stock.  If the nursery stock being offered for sale is bought and re-sold, a Nursery Stock Dealer Permit is required by the Horticulture Commission.  If the nursery stock being offered for sale is propagated and grown by the applicant, then a Nursery Certificate Permit is required.

Honeybees and used or secondhand beekeeping equipment may be shipped into the state by a person possessing a current Class A permit, but only when accompanied by certification of inspection from the state. A Class A permit may be issued to any applicant.

Nursery stock is inspected at the grower level to insure that the stock being offered for sale is free from injurious insects and diseases.  Inspections are also performed for crop and plant pests that are not known to exist in Louisiana as part of an early detection program.  All nurseries that ship material out of state are required to undergo annual inspections.