Online Bee Biosecurity Training & Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice
As our honey bee colonies are vulnerable to both exotic and established pests and diseases.
It is imperative all beekeepers undertake regular pests and disease training. The QBA strongly recommends all beekeepers complete the Bee Biosecurity Online Training course in their initial 12 months as a new beekeeper, then again after a period of 3 years to renew and refresh biosecurity knowledge.
Beekeepers can register to complete the course by visiting the Plant Health Australia website.
The course is free to all beekeepers.
All Beekeepers are also urged to familiarise themselves with the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.
The 'code' has been developed in consultation between industry and Government and serves as a guide allowing beekeepers to use best practice biosecurity measures.
Can you identify any of the honey bee pests and diseases in the photo gallery above?
National Bee Biosecurity Program
The Queensland Bee Biosecurity Officer is funded by money collected from the honey levy. When a beekeeper sells more than 1500kgs honey per year, they must pay a levy on that honey. This levy money goes towards different programs.
On average, honey production in Australia, including commercial and recreational production, is 37,000 tonnes. In a typical year 70 per cent of Australian honey is produced from native flora.
See this diagram for a breakdown of where the honey levy is directed.
For more information please see Agrifutures here.
Information on Bee Biosecurity Obligations in Queensland
Beekeeping in Queensland is regulated primarily under the Biosecurity Act 2014 . Under the Act, all beekeepers must be registered to keep and care for European honey bees. In order to become a registered beekeeper, you will need to complete an application to become a Registered Biosecurity Entity. Click here to download a copy of the application for bees.
Additional information relating to keeping bees in Queensland can be located on the Business Queensland website. We encourage all beekeepers to familiarise themselves with this website. Click here to visit the Business Queensland website.
Report a Biosecurity Issue
All beekeepers and the public are urged to report a biosecurity concern or issue at any time. QBA encourages all beekeepers to report any suspicious detections or irregularities to Biosecurity Queensland (PH: 13 25 23), and the Exotic Pest hotline (PH: 1800 084 881). Alternatively, please click the button below to submit an online report. For all matters relating to exotic pests and disease, the QBA also strongly recommends beekeepers and the public to contact Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23 in addition to completing the online report.
BeeAware
Being aware of biosecurity risks to honey bees is relevant to all beekeepers, from urban hives to commercial beekeeping operations. The BeeAware website is great reference site for every Australian beekeeper. It covers information relating to biosecurity, pests, pollination, the 'code' as well as a large range of tutorial and educational video content.
The BeeAware website is a great addition to any beekeepers tool box. Click here to check out the BeeAware website.
Check out Biosecurity Queensland on Facebook below