Honey bees will be better protected from a deadly parasite under a multi-million dollar rescue package. At least $31 million (US $20.7 million) will be injected into support for beekeepers, horticulture and cropping industries affected by the outbreak of varroa mite, more than a year after it was detected in Australia. “Biosecurity, full stop, and…

Commentary Australia was (until recently) the sole major honey-producer free from Varroa mites (also known as “varroa destructors”) after New Zealand fell to infection in 2000. It has been four months since a Varroa mite infection on the east coast triggered Australia’s biosecurity procedures, during which 15 to 45 million bees were culled by the…

New South Wales (NSW) authorities have told a Senate inquiry into Australia’s biosecurity preparedness they remain confident they have contained the varroa mite. It comes after earlier evidence from the head of NSW beekeepers, who are worried the deadly parasite can’t be eradicated. The Department of Primary Industry’s Dr John Tracey told the inquiry almost…

A shortage of bee hives due to varroa mite restrictions is threatening to cause millions of dollars of losses to almond farmers in Australia. According to Almond Board of Australia chief executive Tim Jackson, farmers could be hit with significant losses as a ban on New South Wales (NSW) hives being moved into Victoria coincided…

A new biosecurity zone has been set up northwest of Coffs Harbour on the New South Wales (NSW) mid-north coast after the latest detection of the destructive varroa mite. The infested bee hives were found at a property in Nana Glen, located outside the existing biosecurity zones, bringing the total number of infested premises (IPs)…