FAQ

If no one is being stung, but there is a swarm (a ball of bees in a bush, tree, side of house, water-meter box, etc.) of bees, go to the yellow pages. look under Beekeepers or Bee Removal Services and call one of the parties listed that advertises swarm pick-up or removal.

If there is not a swarm of bees but only a few bees "foraging" on flowers, this is a natural thing and you should not be concerned. "Foraging" bees are not defensive and generally do not sting unless provoked (squished, swatted at, etc.).

Otherwise, look in the yellow pages under Beekeepers, Bee Removal Services, Bee Supplies or Pest Control Services. Swarming bees or beehives should only be handled by a professional pest exterminator or beekeeper.

The Arizona Department of Agriculture does not handle any bee-related issues.

For more information on bee extermination or control, contact a local pest exterminator or your local county cooperative extension office.

For news media or researchers, call the Carl Hayden Bee Research Laboratory in Tucson, (520) 670-6380.

Why do I have to have my seed tested?

The answer to this is two-fold.
1. It is the law. Arizona and the Federal government both have laws outlining and regulating the way seed is to be sold in the state. The definitions and protocols are quite specific as to what is to be done, how it is to be done, and when it is to be done.
2. It is consumer protection. Anyone that goes into an establishment to buy seed needs to know that the seed in that package is what the labeler claims it is and that it will perform at a certain level. As a regulator it is our job to sample seed has it comes into the state and as it appears on the store shelves to make sure the public is getting what they are paying for.

For more information, call (602) 542-0986.

Do I have to have a license to sell or label seed in Arizona?

Yes, you must have a license to either sell or label seed in Arizona.

For more information, call (602) 542-0949.

Will the State Agricultural Lab test my seed for me?

The State Agricultural Lab (SAL) can test seed for the public but only if the seed will be exported out of the country. The majority of the seed testing done at SAL is regulatory samples obtained by ADA inspectors.

For more information, call (602) 744-4901.

Can I bring my houseplants with me when I move to Arizona?

Yes, but houseplants transported into Arizona must be free of insects and in a commercial potting mix rather than soil from your yard. Plants transported by a commercial mover should be placed near one of the trailer doors to facilitate inspection upon entering the state. Plants transported in a private vehicle will not be inspected. You do not need a certificate from your origin state department of agriculture to transport houseplants to AZ.

For more information, call (602) 542-0979.

Can I travel through Arizona with my houseplants?

Yes, but plants should be free of insects and, if transported by a commercial mover, they should be placed near one of the trailer doors to facilitate inspection upon entering the state. Plants transported in a private vehicle will not be inspected. You do not need a certificate from your origin state department of agriculture to transit Arizona with houseplants.

For more information, call (602) 542-0979.

What do I need to do to bring livestock into Arizona?

All livestock require an original health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 30 days prior to importation and an import permit. All photocopies of health certificates must have an original signature by the veterinarian. Cattle shipped directly to a slaughter plant, and horses, are exempt from the import permit requirement. Certain types of livestock require testing for diseases. Call the State Veterinarian's Office for more information on test requirements.

For more information, call (602) 542-4293.

Besides a health certificate, are there any other requirements for bringing my horse into Arizona?

Yes. All horses six months of age and older require a negative test for Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins test or CELISA) within a year prior to importation. The test result, date of test, lab name and lab accession number must be recorded on the health certificate. Horses may not enter with the test results pending. Changes in Arizona's laws in August 2002 created a voluntary horse registration program.There is no penalty if you choose not to participate. Begin your registration process here.

For more information, call (602) 542-4293.

How do I get an import permit number?

If calling after normal office hours, leave a message and follow the instructions to mark the message urgent. Permits are generally available until 10 p.m.

For more information, call (602) 542-4293.

What about my Import Permits?

For more information, call (602) 414-4740.

What is the status of my Import Permit?

For more information, call (602) 542-0979.

How do I obtain a permit to import citrus trees?

For more information, call (602) 542-0979.

Cotton questions

For more information, call (602) 542-0918.

Weed questions

For more information, call (602) 542-0955.

How should meat and poultry products be handled at home?

Keep uncooked products under refrigeration as much as possible. If you are not going to cook and eat the product the same day as purchased, it is generally advisable to freeze it until use.

Cooked, left over, meats and poultry should be refrigerated within 2 hours after cooking. If it is necessary to keep cooked meats and poultry without refrigeration longer than 2 hours maintain their temperature at or above 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

The United States Department of Agriculture operates a consumer Hotline: 1-800-535-4555 from 10AM to 4:30PM, Eastern Standard Time.

For more information, call (602)542-4971.

Organics

What are the requirements to become an organic farm or ranch?

The National Organic Program (NOP), developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), became law on April 21, 2001. It is being implemented during an 18-month transition period. The National Organic Program requires that agricultural products labeled as organic originate from farms or handling operations certified by USDA accredited certification agents. By October 21, 2002, all products sold in the United States and labeled "organic" must comply with the procedures outlined in the National Organic Program.

To read the full law, USDA updates and links to approved certification companies (to be announced in April 2002), you may access the website for the NOP at: www.ams.usda.gov/nop

Does the State of Arizona have an Organic Certification Program?
No. The state of Arizona does not have a separate organic program. On October 21, 2002, the requirements of the National Organic Program will fully apply to the sale of all organic products in Arizona.