Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Order No.16 is now in effect in NSW
The current situation
There are now 55 infected premises (IPs), with all new detections being located around existing IPs, as expected. This number will continue to rise as further surveillance is carried out in the red zone.
Work is now underway as planned to euthanise bees at all infected premises in the red zones.
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 a red (eradication), purple (surveillance) or yellow (notification) zone, you MUST report the location of your hives to the DPI via the Beekeeper Notifications - Varroa mite online form or by calling the Hotline on 1800 084 881 (9am to 5pm, 7 days a week). You can also use this form to report feral hives in the red, purple or yellow zones.
New rules in the red zone
Compensation for recreational beekeepers
Today it has been announced that registered recreational beekeepers will be reimbursed $550 for each hive (or $200 per nuc) which is euthanised and disposed of by the DPI. Furthermore, there is now the option to retain your empty hive after the euthanised bees and frames have been removed and still receive a payment of $200.
This is a great outcome, which acknowledges the important role recreational beekeepers play in the honeybee industry, including volunteering to assist in the emergency response. The honeybee industry really is like no other, and it’s fair to say that hobbyists in other agricultural industries would be unlikely to be compensated in this way.
If you are a commercial beekeeper you will be reimbursed under the Owner Reimbursement Costs (ORC) framework.
If you are in the red (eradication) zone, you must not move, disturb, interfere with or feed bees, including by removing honey or honey comb from a hive. The only exceptions are:
if you are directed to do so by an authorised officer
to inspect for mites by one of these approved methods: sugar shake test, alcohol wash or brood uncapping. Remember to report all results (negative or positive) to the Hotline on 1800 084 881.
NEW: to Remove honey supers before hive euthanasia
If you are advised by the DPI that your hives are due to be euthanised in the next 48 hours, you are permitted to remove honey supers to a bee-proof storage space for the purpose of extracting the honey at a later date. If you have a Flow hive you may remove the honey via the tap prior to removing the Flow super from the hive. You will still be able to choose whether to retain your euthanised hive, or have the DPI dispose of it for you.
NEW: Swarm prevention in the red zone
As long as your hives are not located at Infected or Suspect Premises, you may add an empty super to your hive to reduce the risk of swarming.
There are strict rules around biosecurity and decontamination, so please check the Order before you undertake any work on your hives.
Outside the red zone
Moving bees
For the eradication program to be successful, it is vital to eliminate the spread of varroa. For this reason you still must not move hives or bees anywhere in NSW, unless you are a commercial beekeeper who has been issued with a Biosecurity Emergency Movement Permit.
Swarms
Under the current Order, swarms cannot be caught in the red zone, and cannot be moved in any other zone.
If you are aware of a swarm in the red, purple or yellow zones please report it using the online form at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/hives or call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881.
If there is any danger to public safety please call 000 immediately.
Handling bees and extracting honey
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 Moving of honey supers and extraction of honey in the current Biosecurity Order for details.
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 the Newcastle region 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.
Outside NSW?
For the latest news on how your state authority is responding to the NSW varroa emergency, check the following links:
Queensland beekeepers are encouraged to report all varroa mite check results at Bee 123
What do you know?
If you have questions about varroa mites, why not enrol in Tocal College’s free online varroa training cousre?
The course is a requirement for all commercial beekeepers wishing to apply for movement permits, but it is freely available to anyone interested in learning more about varroa.
TIP: Once you complete the course you can upload your certificate as part of your training record in your Journal in the ABA Portal.
We need you!
With surveillance operations now taking place at several locations around NSW, we need even more volunteers to assist with essential field work. If you are an ABA member (or a member of any other AHBIC member body) and are willing to help, look out for an email with details about volunteering.
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.
The R U OK? Mateship Manual provides guidance and tips to help you support a family member, friend, neighbour or workmate affected by a natural disaster or an emergency now and into the future.
To learn the signs that someone might be struggling and how to ask them "are you OK?" and provide support download your free digital copy now.
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.
Small business support is available to beekeepers through
Rural Financial Counselling Service on 1800 344 090
Small Biz Connect on 1300 134 359
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 the Central Coast Local Health District on 02 43 202952 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