The NSW Nationals are calling for more support for beekeepers dealing with varroa mite, as they move tens of thousands of hives to Griffith for the annual almond pollination season.
The industry is struggling with rising costs and labour for treatments to manage the invasive pest.
There are also concerns mass staff cuts at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), combined with two years of neglect in biosecurity funding, will weaken the state’s frontline protections.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders and Upper House MP Nichole Overall met beekeepers and growers in the region today.
“Bees are responsible for one in every three mouthfuls of the food we eat and varroa mite is their biggest threat, yet the Minns Government is not taking it seriously,” Mr Saunders said.
“Instead, it’s axing vital jobs from the DPIRD biosecurity team leaving the industry vulnerable at such a crucial time.
“This is the most significant pollination event of the year, and we need to see more support for beekeepers who are doing it tough, like subsidised treatments, reducing or removing fees to access more public land, and more boots on the ground.”
Mrs Overall said this time of year is a make or break for local producers.
“The almond industry is one of the largest consumers of pollination services in Australia and growers only have a very short and critical window to get what they need,” Mrs Overall said.
“The Minns Government should be doing everything it can to support farmers of all kinds who are also feeling the impact of the extremely dry conditions we’ve seen across the Riverina.”
