FOLLOWING a National Management Group meeting involving industry and government bodies on September 19, Agriculture Victoria will transition its emergency response to a transition to management phase for Varroa mite.
Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer Dr Rosa Crnov said the NSW Varroa mite outbreak is no longer technically feasible to eradicate despite sustained efforts by government and industry.
"Victoria remains free of Varroa mite, and under the Transition to Management program the focus will be on slowing the spread of Varroa and ensuring our industries are prepared and supported for its arrival," she said.
"The Transition to Management model will support business continuity minimising the impact of varroa on our beekeepers and pollination-dependent industries.
"Surveillance of varroa and keeping track of the movement of bees and beekeeping equipment via our permit system will continue to help us maintain a Varroa-free status in Victoria while we work with industry to adapt to the new model."
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Beekeepers must continue to record any bee movements, regularly test bees for varroa and follow the requirements of the Control Area Order and any permits they are under.
Victoria has a rigorous permit system in place to help keep the state free from Varroa mite.
A permit is required for anyone bringing bees, hives, queen bees, used beekeeping equipment, pollen for bee feeding, and bee products, including honeycomb, into any part of Victoria from any other state or territory.
“It’s crucial for beekeepers to follow the mandatory permit system for entry of bees, hives and apiary movements into Victoria,” Dr Crnov said.
“This system helps protect our state, while enabling essential horticultural pollination activities to continue.
“Application for queen bees from all states except New South Wales will be assessed.
"Permits will not be granted for queens, escorts and queen cells from NSW at this time.”
The pause on processing permit applications from NSW will remain in place for an interim period while applications for permits for movements from all other jurisdictions into Victoria will continue to be processed.
Agriculture Victoria will work on developing the national Transition to Management Plan as part of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) process.
The Plan’s focus is slowing the spread of Varroa mite, supporting pollination, building industry resilience and providing management solutions.
Since Varroa mite was found 15 months ago, Agriculture Victoria’s world class biosecurity capability has been able to support two successful pollination seasons without the pest entering the state.
Varroa mite is a parasite of adult honey bees and honey bee brood.
It weakens and kills honey bee colonies and can also transmit honey bee viruses.
Varroa mite does not affect native bees.
For more information on Varroa requirements, reporting and permit applications, visit the Varroa page on the Agriculture Victoria website: agriculture.vic.gov.au/varroa.
Any suspect Varroa should be reported to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
