A healthy bee pollinating a flower. Photo: Kim Treasure.
A new advisory committee has been established in response to the threat posed by Varroa destructor to the South Australia bee industry.
Varroa destructor is a distinctive small mite and parasite of the European honeybee and Asian honeybee. It is regarded as the most serious global pest of honeybees with death often occurring to bees in infested hives left untreated.
Since its detection in Newcastle in June last year, Varroa has now spread within NSW to a point that eradication is considered no longer possible at the national level.
While there are no known varroa cases in South Australia, it is estimated that the establishment of varroa mite in Australia could result in losses of over $70 million a year to pollination dependent industries across the country. It is why protecting South Australia’s beekeeping industry is paramount.
The new South Australian Varroa Industry Advisory Committee (SAVIAC) will play a key role advising the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) during this transition to management phase.
SAVIAC will ensure that decisions being made in relation to preparing for and managing any potential detections of Varroa in South Australia are being made with the benefit of relevant knowledge and expertise.
The committee will include two representatives from the Beekeepers Society of South Australia (mainly representing recreational beekeepers), two members from the South Australian Apiarists’ Association (mainly representing commercial apiarists) and one representative nominated by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, the national body representing the honey bee industry.
There will also be representatives (one each) from large commercial beekeepers and the pollination dependent industries. Specialist members will also be on hand to provide expertise in dealing with the environmental impacts of varroa management and varroa detection and management.
