Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Order No.11 is now in effect in NSW

Compensation for amateur and commercial beekeepers

Today we received the news we have all been waiting for: the National Management Group (NMG) has endorsed compensation for registered recreational beekeepers in recognition of their critical role in the response to this incursion. (Refer to the Ministers’ press release.)

This outcome was by no means a certainty, so we need to recognise the tireless support of the DPI and the commercial sector of the beekeeping industry in securing this financial commitment for the recreational sector.

It will take some time to work out the details, but as soon as we know anything we will let you know.

Extended permit for flood movements

The Group Biosecurity Permit allowing flood-affected hives to be relocated has been extended for a week, to 17 July 2022.

Please note that you may only move your hives if they are located in the area defined by the BOM Flood Watch notice. You must notify the new location to the DPI, and you cannot move them back to their original position.

The current situation

Two new detections at Wyong and Jerrys Plains bring the total number of infected premises (IPs) to 36, since Varroa mite was first identified on Wednesday 22 June.

The number of IPs may seem alarming, but the locations provide increasing evidence that the Varroa mite has not spread beyond the Hunter region (except with human assistance).

Now that the NMG has agreed that it is feasible to eradicate Varroa from the Hunter region, the operational phase of the plant pest emergency will begin. This is devastating news for beekeepers in the affected areas, but is the only way to keep Australia free of Varroa and the miticides used globally to control it.

Moving bees

For the eradication program to be successful, it is vital to eliminate the spread of Varroa. For this reason you must not move hives anywhere in NSW.

Handling bees and extracting honey

If you are in the red (eradication) zone, you must not or disturb, interfere with or feed bees, including by removing honey or honey comb from a hive. The only exception is if you are directed to do so by an authorised officer, or to inspect for mites by one of these approved methods: sugar shake test, alcohol wash or brood uncapping.

If you are outside the red (eradication) zone, you are now allowed to work your bees as long as the hives are not moved from their current location. You may also extract honey, but please be aware there are strict rules which you must follow. Please refer to Clause 13 Moving of honey supers and extraction of honey in the current Biosecurity Order for details.

Where are your hives?

Find out which zone your hives are in by entering the address in the search box on the interactive map.

If your hives are located in the red (eradication), purple (surveillance) or yellow (notification) zones, you MUST report the location of your hives to the DPI via the Beekeeper Notifications - Varroa mite online form. You can also use this form to report feral hives in the red, purple or yellow zones.

Important information for beekeepers in the red (eradication) zone

If you are a registered beekeeper in the red zone, you will receive an SMS message to let you know that a DPI officer will be in touch with you to advise you of an upcoming visit by a Response Team to euthanise your hives. If you miss a call from the officer they will attempt to call at a later time.

Only the Response Teams are authorised to euthanise hives. You must not attempt to do this yourself.

Important information for beekeepers in the purple (surveillance) zone

If you are a registered beekeeper in the purple zone, a DPI officer will be in touch with you in the next few days. This officer will be calling to advise you of an upcoming visit by a Response Team to conduct testing on your hives. If you miss a call from the officer they will attempt to call at a later time.

Important information for beekeepers in the yellow (notification) zone

We urgently need test results from beekeepers in the yellow zone, particularly in north-east Sydney and the lower Central Coast. The most effective way to test is to perform an alcohol wash on at least three brood frames. If you are unable to perform an alcohol wash you can do a sugar shake test or brood uncapping instead.

Please check for mites this weekend - and report your results by calling the DPI Hotline on 1800 084 881 (9am to 5pm, 7 days a week). It is important that you report negative as well as positive results so that the Emergency Response Team can build a comprehensive map of where there are mites, and where there are none.

Report bees moved from the Newcastle region in the past year

Regardless of where you live, if you have acquired honeybees (including queen bees, nucleus hives and hives with honeybees) from within 50km of the Port of Newcastle (the red, purple and yellow emergency zones) in the past 12 months, please report this to the DPI, to help us detect and eradicate the varroa mite.

Report these honeybees using the DPI’s online reporting form.

Volunteering to join Response Teams

The Response Teams are made up of DPI staff working with the NSW Rural Fire Service and volunteer beekeepers from the ABA and other AHBIC member bodies. If you are a member of the ABA (or another AHBIC member body) and wish to volunteer, please check your inbox for email containing a link to the volunteering form.

You are not alone

These are distressing times for all beekeepers, but for those in the red zone most of all.

Please be sensitive to your fellow club members’ suffering and be kind to each other.

Support for beekeepers

There are free and confidential support services available to beekeepers during this difficult time.

Accessing small business and mental health and well-being support early is encouraged. The services listed below are open to all beekeepers: large or small, urban or rural. The friendly staff understand the situation and can connect you with the help you need.

• Business owners can contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service for advice and support to review their financial situation and assist with future planning. Call Badar Musad on 0439 956 165.

• The Rural Financial Counselling Service will support all beekeepers and will connect you with suitable services depending on your situation.

• The Rural Financial Counselling Service can assist with assessing eligibility of beekeepers to the Farm Household Allowance.

• Business owners are encouraged to speak with their banking institution and/or lenders to discuss their situation and develop a plan together.

• The Rural Adversity Mental Health Program is available to support beekeepers who would like to chat about their situation, and they can refer you to other services. Call Matthew Milne on 0437 989 044.

• Beekeepers in the Central Coast region can call Lauren Shields, a social worker with the Central Coast Local Health District on 0428 250 610 to discuss mental health and wellbeing.

• You can call the NSW Mental Health Line for yourself, or if you are concerned about someone. This line is open 24 hours, 7 days a week on 1800 011 511.

• Charitable assistance is available to support households with items such as food and groceries, household items and household bill support. Charities such as Rural Aid will provide support to commercial beekeepers.

Sheila Stokes, assisted by Linda Winn, is the ABA’s Industry Liaison Officer at the Local Control Centre in Maitland.

If you are interested in understanding how the Emergency Response is organised, you will find a wealth of information on the Plant Health Australia website.

Have a specific query? Contact us on beehelp@beekeepers.asn.au