Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan has called on the Minns Labor Government to urgently engage with the Albanese Labor Government to protect the future of Australia’s honey bee industry.
Industry leaders have warned the varroa mite incursion in NSW is escalating rapidly and current measures are failing to manage and eradicate its spread.
Mr Moylan said the Minns Labor Government’s response has been too slow, too reactive, and has left many beekeepers frustrated and unsupported.
“The beekeeping industry is incredibly important to agriculture across Australia and there are huge concerns for its future,” Mr Moylan said.
“Although there has been some effort to control the spread of the varroa mite, beekeeper and industry feedback indicates current control measures are not working.
“This is particularly concerning with the almond pollination season only a few weeks away, and the industry’s heavy reliance on commercial honey bees.
“Industry representatives are reporting costs of tens of thousands of dollars for treatment which needs to implemented regularly, however the same treatment can’t be used repeatedly.
“There are also reports of resistance to synthetic treatments, high costs, reduced effectiveness, colony declines and further spread of the mite.
Mr Moylan said without swift, targeted action, the varroa mite crisis could escalate into a food security crisis.
“I am urging the Minns Labor Government to work with their Federal colleagues to step up surveillance, improve coordination with the industry and beekeepers on the ground, fast track access to effective varroa mite treatments and deliver stronger support to contain the spread before the impacts on the Industry, on pollination and on agriculture worsen.”
