Pressure eases on pollination services

Restrictions are slowly lifting for varroa destructor mite which has been plaguing pollination services across NSW and into Queensland.

On 20 January 2023, all Australian states and territories agreed that the blue zone of NSW is declared free of varroa mite. Beekeepers can now apply for permits to move managed hives across state borders. The decision means that those beekeepers in Queensland who have hives the in NSW can now retrieve those hives, provided they are in the general biosecurity zone (blue zone).

Beekeepers in the eradication (red) and surveillance (purple) zones are not permitted to move hives into or out of their respective zones.

Registered commercial beekeepers within the blue zone are still required to complete a Hive Movement Declaration to move honeybees and hives, to allow for business continuity and to provide pollination services.

The varroa destructor mite was first discovered at the Port of Newcastle in June 2022, and a total of 148 premises have been infected since, as at 6 April 2023.

Brisbane Markets tenant, Avocado Australia’s CEO John Tyas said that varroa destructor mite had the potential to have a significant impact on avocado growers, either through sharing the cost of eradication or, if eradication isn’t possible, through the loss of free pollination from wild European Honeybees and increased costs of managing hives.

“Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) and National Management Group (NMG) committee remains of the opinion that eradication of varroa destructor is technically feasible based on the response and current information available,” Mr Tyas said.

“The New Zealand experience shows that having definitive zones marking the incursion and strong traceability improves the chances of eradication. Australia’s efforts in this regard mean our response has an excellent chance of being effective.”

The NMG has endorsed a Response Plan which covers up to $55.3 million for response activities through to 30 June

2023, with costs shared between federal and state governments, and affected industry parties.

“Avocados Australia is preparing a Business Case that will outline how the industry will pay for its contribution. Once finalised, this will be communicated with industry for consideration,” Mr Tyas said.

For up-to-date information on the emergency response to varroa destructor mite, visit: https://bit.ly/3TT0GYI.

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