Varroa mite

Beekeepers can now apply for a permit to move European honey bees and other related materials into Queensland from the NSW General Emergency Zone (GEZ) after this zone was declared free of varroa mites ... “All states and territories across Australia have reached unanimous agreement that varroa mite is not present in the GEZ”: Qld Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities, Mark Furner.

Beekeeper David Mumford from Narrandera’s King Bee Honey has expressed concerns for the future of his industry which he believes needs regulation to clean it up ... The recent varroa mite biosecurity emergency highlighted a lack of regulation and Mr Mumford would like to see the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) given more power to ensure safe practices.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is testing new methods for detecting environmental DNA (eDNA) of varroa mite under the Biosecurity Innovation Program’s Biosecurity molecular screening using eDNA project. A/g Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity and Compliance Peter Timson said eDNA technology is being evaluated as a mobile, rapid, and efficient way to evaluate for pest species on the biosecurity front line.

State-wide surveillance will be strengthened to ensure NSW beekeepers have greater flexibility to continue their operations, through a new Varroa Mite Emergency Order ... Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said changes to the Emergency Order will increase the surveillance registered beekeepers are required to conduct each year.

Plan Bee, Australia’s national honey bee genetic improvement program has had its hives at Tocal Agricultural College euthanised as part of the all-of-industry response to the 2022 varroa mite incursion. Prior to the hive euthanasia, selected highest value queen bees were removed securely and re-homed to ensure these genetics are banked for future breeding and research.  

Kristin Murdock. Biosecurity is a buzzword in the agricultural industry, now more than ever with the recent threat of foot and mouth disease and an infestation of varroa mite affecting bees in New South Wales. Vineyards are just as vulnerable to risks and with that in mind, Willo Brown from Oparina Wines in Padthaway has put his university IT skills to good use creating an app called myVineyard.

The presence of Varroa Mite (a parasite of adult honey bees that weakens and kills colonies and can also transmit viruses) has exacerbated and magnified the regular stresses of beekeeping in Australia ... “Lead by beekeeper volunteers from around Australia, the eradication effort is progressing well; however, if NSW can't contain Varroa Mite, then it will eventually be everywhere in time, including Victoria”: Owner and Managing Director of Warral Maldon, Lindsay Callaway.

The 50km yellow Varroa mite notification zones, located outside the emergency surveillance and eradication zones, have been officially lifted, allowing beekeepers to move their honeybees and hives in more parts of the State. Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said the decision shows the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is confident about tracking where Varroa mite has travelled.  

Blueberry and avocado growers on the Coffs Coast are concerned about the arrival of Varroa mite in the region. Local NSW Farmers Coffs Harbour Branch Chair Paul Shoker said Varroa mite had been detected in hives near Nana Glen, and were linked to the Newcastle outbreak. “It’s a bit of a worry for our farmers as we approach pollination time, without bees we can’t produce avocados or blueberries, or a lot of other crops for that matter,” Mr Shoker said.