The next steps in Australia’s response to varroa mite have been agreed, following last year’s decision that eradication was not possible
The varroa mite National Management Group (NMG) has agreed on a new plan to deal with the ongoing threat.
Varroa mite – also known as Varroa Destructor – has been described as the most serious threat to honey bees globally and was first detected in Australia in 2022.
Initially detected in New South Wales, it was successfully removed from that state before later returning, leading authorities to accept that full eradication was no longer possible.
The NMG met in February and endorsed a National Response V4, which incorporated a transition to management.
Activities in the management plan are to:
– ensure an orderly stand-down of emergency response operational activities in NSW and Victoria;
– slow the spread of Varroa Destructor;
– build industry resilience to the pest;
– provide management options including Integrated Pest Management recommendations and chemical control options; and
– support pollination security.
The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) successfully advocated for exceptional circumstances to be applied in the plan, which allowed for the timeframe to be doubled from the usual 12 months to 24 months.
AHBIC describes this as a “big win” for the industry.
“This extension will allow critical activities like extension across all jurisdictions to continue over a longer period,” AHBIC says.
“This will ensure all beekeepers have the opportunity access the resources as needed.”
The management group also lowered the agreed upper cost of the response to a maximum of $100 million, of which a significant amount of will be spent on education.
“The development of national education materials and rollout of non-accredited workshop training will commence for a period of 12 months,” AHBIC says.
“This will include face to face training events across all jurisdictions for all beekeepers, online learning, webinars, factsheets and video resources.”
Mandatory hive monitoring and reporting every 16 weeks remains in place for beekeepers across New South Wales.
There remain two Varroa mite control zones in New South Wales – the suppression and management zones.
Beekeepers must notify the NSW Department of Primary Industries if they wish to move bees from the management to suppression zone.