- Beekeepers have been set a goal of 15,000 beehive checks to ensure Queensland remains varroa mite free
- Hive checks can be reported online or over the phone
- Beekeepers are invited to join a free information webinar on Wednesday 19 April
- Varroa mite can decimate bee populations and has been detected in NSW
Queensland's beekeepers have been set a goal of 15,000 beehive checks to ensure the state is free of varroa mite.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner said commercial and recreational beekeepers should report all checks they make on their hives, even if they don't find any suspect mites.
Having apiarists report as many checks as possible will support Queensland's efforts to remain free of the pest, protecting the important role bees play in our ecosystem and the many jobs they support both directly and indirectly.
Beekeepers can report hive checks using the Bee 123 online form, or by calling 13 25 23.
Beekeepers should also ensure their record-keeping is up-to-date so that all bee movements can be traced in the event of a bee pest or disease outbreak.
Detailed information on how to check hives and report results can be found at daf.qld.gov.au/varroa and daf.engagementhub.com.au/varroa-mite.
Beekeepers are invited to join in a free webinar, presented in conjunction with the Queensland Beekeepers Association, at 6pm on Wednesday 19 April 2023.
The webinar, "Bee informed: Seasonal update for Queensland beekeepers", will cover the importance of reporting hive checks, and what beekeepers can do to support the beekeeping community.
Anyone can join by clicking on the 'seasonal update for Queensland beekeepers' link on the DAF Engagement Hub, and a recording of the webinar will be available at a later date on the Biosecurity Queensland YouTube channel.
Quotes attributable to the Minister:
"Everyone wants to make sure Queensland remains free of varroa mite," Mr Furner said.
"Beekeepers need to be vigilant to protect Queensland beehives, our honey industry and the crops that bees pollinate.
"Hive checks are a quick and easy way to protect our state's biosecurity.
"Alcohol washing is an effective method of detecting the presence of varroa mites, along with other exotic pests.
"Checking hives and reporting the results to Biosecurity Queensland should be part of beekeepers' routines."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Beekeepers' Association State Secretary, Jo Martin:
"Australia as a nation is dependent on the health of the honey bee industry," Ms Martin said.
"The outcome of the response rests on the shoulders of every beekeeper in Queensland actively looking for varroa mite, undertaking the test, and reporting all the results, with an emphasis on the need for negative data.
"Industry is calling on all beekeepers to be accountable to your bees, be accountable to yourself, be accountable to your industry, and be accountable to the common good."
