NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders is calling on the Labor Government to abandon eradication and move to a Varroa mite management plan.
The call for urgent action comes after the discovery of the new case at Barcoongere, to the north of Coffs Harbour, as well as more detections in the Kempsey, Riverina, and Sunraysia regions.
“Labor’s complete lack of leadership on Varroa mite has sent the beekeeping, horticulture, and pollination industries into a state of panic after the situation took a drastic turn in the past few weeks,” Mr Saunders said.
“The Minister for Agriculture needs to front up to the reality of what these sectors are facing and start providing clear direction on the right path forward.
“With infected premises popping up rapidly and in widespread parts of the state, the government can’t afford to keep waiting and hoping that something is going to get better, because it won’t.
“The government needs to very quickly announce the move to a management plan, with measures in place around funding and training opportunities for beekeepers who will need to be taught how to use the chemicals required, when to do it, and when it is safe to harvest their honey.”
Crop Pollination Association of Australia President, Steve Fuller, said a change in the response cannot come fast enough.
“People across all parts of the bee industry are really hurting right now and we are at the point where this path is not doing anything aside from affecting people’s lives,” Mr Fuller said.
“Seeing 10 new Infected Premises a day or 20-30 cases a week is simply not conducive of a business strategy or any strategy to keep moving forward.
“Beekeepers are looking for answers and are calling for management to be the priority and we need to move to that plan as soon as possible.”
