South Carolina General Assembly
124th Session, 2021-2022

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Bill 961

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COMMITTEE REPORT

February 10, 2022

S. 961

Introduced by Senators Senn, Campsen, Loftis, Bennett and Alexander

S. Printed 2/10/22--S.    [SEC 2/14/22 10:58 AM]

Read the first time January 11, 2022.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON

AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES

To whom was referred a Bill (S. 961) to amend Section 39-25-20(t) of the 1976 Code, relating to the definition of "honey", to provide that beekeepers producing no more than four, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

DAVID WESLEY CLIMER for Committee.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 39-25-20(T) OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE DEFINITION OF "HONEY," TO PROVIDE THAT BEEKEEPERS PRODUCING NO MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED GALLONS OF HONEY MAY FILE FOR AN EXEMPTION FROM INSPECTIONS AND REGULATIONS REQUIRING HONEY TO BE PROCESSED, EXTRACTED, AND PACKAGED IN AN INSPECTED FOOD PROCESSING ESTABLISHMENT, OR FROM BEING REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A REGISTRATION VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE; AND TO PROVIDE THAT BEEKEEPERS WHO FILE FOR AND OBTAIN THE EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MAY SELL DIRECTLY TO INSPECTED FOOD PROCESSING ESTABLISHMENTS THAT MAINTAIN A REGISTRATION VERIFICATION CERTIFICATE FOR SUBSEQUENT WHOLESALE OR RESALE SALES.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 39-25-20(t) of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"(t)    The term 'honey' means the raw food product produced by honeybees for human consumption. Honey and honey products are subject to all labeling requirements of this chapter. Honey sold wholesale to other retail outlets for resale must be processed and packaged in an inspected and registered food processing facility in accordance with the act regardless of the amount of overall honey produced by the beekeeper.

Beekeepers producing no more than four hundred gallons (4,800 pounds) of honey annually and who only may sell directly to the end consumer and are exempt from inspections and regulations requiring honey to be processed, extracted, and packaged in an inspected food processing establishment, or from being required to obtain a registration verification certificate (RVC) from the Department of Agriculture. However, labels are required on all containers of honey that are sold in South Carolina. Beekeepers must file for the exemption on forms to be provided by the Department of Agriculture. Beekeepers who file for, and obtain, the exemption certificate from the Department of Agriculture may sell directly to inspected food processing establishments that maintain an RVC for subsequent wholesale or resale sales."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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