Varroa update: April 2023
Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order (No 9)
2023 is now in effect in NSW
THE CURRENT SITUATION
In February the DPI advised more infected hives were discovered outside the Red and Purple zones. According to the DPI these hives had been moved illegally in the last few months from areas where no movement is allowed. Further zones have been declared in March resulting in the eradication zones encapsulating Palm beach and the Surveillance zone extending into the Northern beaches of Sydney.
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:
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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.
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.