Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order is now in effect in NSW

THE CURRENT SITUATION- AHBIC UPDATE

AHBIC (Australian Honey Bee Industry Council) will provide an update on the Varroa mite Emergency Response in NSW. The webinar will be hosted by Varroa Coordinator Bianca Giggins, with presentations from AHBIC CEO Danny Le Feurve and key members of the response team from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI).

When: Thursday 11 May, 7pm - 8:30pm EST

Where: Register Here

This is a free event open to interested members of the honeybee industry and wider community across Australia. Please register for the briefing. By registering you can be assured to receive a Zoom link prior to the event.

WHAT RULES APPLY TO ME?

Ignorance is not an excuse so it's important you understand the law and the rules that apply to your location, to find out which zone your hives are in you can enter the address in the search box on the interactive map.

If your hives are located in a red (eradication) or purple (surveillance) 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, Monday to Friday - with after-hours message service). You can also use this form to report feral hives in the red and purple zones. Other rules apply to all zones so check the DPI website here for details of the rules that apply to your zone. 

Remember you must not move any bees or hives without either:

• submitting a Hive Movement Declaration (blue zone to blue zone only), or

• applying for a Movement Permit

You must be up to date with your mandatory alcohol wash requirements and also have completed the Tocal College Varroa mite online training before the bees can be moved. You must carry the permit or declaration with you when moving hives failure to produce one when asked can result in an on the spot fine.

Mandatory Alcohol washing

By now all beekeepers should have completed at least one mandatory alcohol wash of their hives and most importantly reported the results using this form.

You must complete and report an alcohol wash at least once in every 16 week period.

Please complete this test: it’s the only way the DPI can measure the effectiveness of the measures so far, this information is what allows the case to be made to keep on controlling the infection....so it’s very important.

Outside NSW?

For the latest news on how your state authority is responding to the NSW varroa emergency, check the following links:

• ACT

• Queensland

  • Queensland beekeepers are encouraged to report all varroa mite check results at Bee 123

• Victoria

• South Australia

• Tasmania

• NT

• Western Australia

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.

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.