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An article at the kitchn made mention of this current week being Pollinator Week and a deliberate focus is in place to bring some attention to Beekeeping in NYC where it is currently illegal to do so.

Wow, what an issue to debate! I am the furthest thing from a beekeeper, but I have much respect for the profession/science, yet I can understand the plight of neighbors, workers and the public at large when it comes to being fearful and not fully appreciating/understanding the relationship of bees to all that we eat and are dependent upon to sustain the human race. Colony Collapse Disorder is still very fresh on the hearts and minds of beekeepers, farmers and any one who cares about this situation. Whether or not this caused a spike in beekeeping in NYC remains a mystery or the idea of getting closer to our food supply thanks to so much inconsistency on the industrial food supply of the US is another part of the plot here.

My thoughts on this issue lie in the fact that if a beekeeper is responsible and takes all precautions to ensure safety of surrounding human contact, then it should not be illegal to practice this craft. There should be some form or permit/license to practice this craft. I have heard of hives getting too big or trying to form in other areas for a variety of reasons, but again, the beekeeper is responsible and if something bad happens on their watch, then they should be fined and any license to practice should be suspended, revoked, etc.

Bees are so critical to the food we love and enjoy and denying the craft of beekeeping outright without careful evaluation and oversight is such a narrow-minded approach to something that could provide so much benefit even in the concrete jungles of NYC.