The Hon. Clare Scriven MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries (SA), Media Release, 7 July 2022
Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) was detected in sentinel beehives at the Port of Newcastle, NSW, on Wednesday 22 June 2022 as part of routine surveillance. Multiple further detections in NSW have since been made.
Varroa mite is not established in Australia and is considered the greatest threat to Australia’s honey and honeybee pollination industries. Australia remains the only major beekeeping country in the world to remain free of Varroa mite.
The South Australian apiary industry pollinates agricultural and horticultural crops valued at an estimated $1.7 billion and produces more than $11 million worth of honeybee products.
Varroa parasitises European Honeybee (EHB) and potentially transmits several serious viruses (also not currently known to be present in Australia), including deformed wing virus. Collectively the mites and viruses can lead to colony collapse if left unmanaged.
Once hives become infected with varroa, without treatment the hives will weaken and typically die out. This can take anywhere between a couple of months and 3 years depending on mite numbers. During that time, hives infested with mites can also infect surrounding managed hives and feral colonies.
Effective biosecurity response to exotic pests such as varroa mite relies on swift action from both government, industry and the public. Movement restrictions are critical to successful containment and eradication.
I can advise that the NSW government is implementing an emergency response and has issued an Order restricting all movement of honeybees within NSW.
The Department for Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) is working with the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) and liaising with industry on SA’s response to the detection.
I can advise that PIRSA has set up an Incident Management Team to stop the spread of Varroa mite into South Australia. A prohibition on the import of risk items into South Australia was put in place on 28 June, 2022.
Restrictions have been introduced on bees, hives, and associated beekeeping products and beekeeping property. These items cannot be brought into South Australia without written permission of the Chief Inspector of Stock. This prohibition also applies to any of these items that have been in NSW since 1 January 2022.
I can further advise that following a risk assessment the movement of commercially processed honey, and new apiary appliances and hive components, is allowed.
PIRSA has brought forward scheduled surveillance at sentinel hives in Port Adelaide. This was conducted on 2 July 2022 and no varroa mites have been found.
Furthermore, PIRSA is asking all beekeepers to inform PIRSA of any movement of risk items into South Australia since 1 January 2022. Beekeepers are also being urged to check their hives for Varroa and send the results to PIRSA. This information will be used to inform tracing and surveillance to provide assurance that South Australia remains varroa free.
There are nearly 3,000 beekeepers registered with Biosecurity SA and approximately 61,000 hives in South Australia.
South Australian registered beekeepers and the industry network have been issued an SMS alert and email providing detailed information and advice on what beekeepers and apiarists in this state need to do in response to the detection.
All South Australian beekeepers are advised to be alert for signs of varroa mite in their bees and if varroa mite is suspected, beekeepers must contact the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or email PIRSA.beebiosecurity@sa.gov.au.
