The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has highlighted its research and development in honey production to mark this year’s World Bee Day.
Agribusiness Development Consultant at DPIRD, Gerard Leddin said the value of managed and wild honey bees to the agricultural and horticultural industries in Western Australia was estimated at $1.1 billion because of their combined effect on ensuring pollination services.
“DPIRD is an active member of the Honey Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) which has a focus on developing the future potential of the local honey industry,” Mr Leddin said.
“Work focused on honey bee health and honey bee products allows the industry to better understand and promote the benefits and the quality of local honey,” he said.
Chief Executive of the CRC, Liz Barbour said since starting in late 2017, the Centre had attracted more than 60 researchers from a diverse range of scientific, arts and engineering fields to focus on the honey bee.
“For the south-west of WA, the CRC has created a Geographic Information System database of honey bees’ favourite flora, tracked the timely production of nectar and pollen for their sustenance and equated the value of each floral zone for honey production,” Dr Barbour said.
“This is helping provide knowledge for a growing industry and allows them to harness crucial bee foraging resources.”
Dr Barbour said that while the State was known for its Jarrah honey, the CRC had genetically-defined a rare Leptospermum species that could produce the highest-grade of the Manuka honey.
“Protecting the integrity of local honey products is also important, particularly in export markets,” she said.
“Australia-wide, the honey bee industry has its own quality assurance system, B-QUAL, and the CRC partnership will provide the digital platform so that honey bee product traceability from our wild forests to customer can be assured.”
The annual World Bee Day raises awareness of the importance of bees and beekeeping, informing the public of beekeeping events around the world.
