|
- QBA Home
- Biosecurity
Biosecurity
Port of Brisbane Suspect Detection(Varroa jacobsoni) February 2024A single Varroa mite has been detected in the Port of Brisbane after routine inspection of the sentinel hives. A emergency response has been initiated and a Movement Control Order is now in place to prevent any potential spread. All beekeepers within the new Movement Control zone will be contacted directly by the team at Biosecurity Queensland. The QBA are supporting Biosecurity Queensland and the Commonwealth to undertake varroa mite surveillance activities to understand the potential source and likelihood of spread. The movement restrictions apply to all beekeepers who have hives in or have had hives in the surrounding localities to the Port of Brisbane within the last 90 days. Our admin team will endeavour to publish updates to our members via email and provide generalised updates to the public via the QBA's dedicated Port of Brisbane Incursion sub-page located within this website. The QBA is in position and ready to provide meaningful support to our impacted clubs and beekeepers in the movement control zones. Please click on the yellow button below to learn more. | NSW Varroa mite detection(Varroa destructor) June 2022On the 22nd June 2022, varroa destructor was detected at the Port of Newcastle in a number of sentinel hives. A emergency incursion response was initiated and the eradication program was commenced. After 455 days of response focused on the containment and eradication of Varroa destructor, the program was re-evaluated by the Consultative Committee for Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) with deed parties reaching a unanimous decision to formalise a recommendation to the National Management Group (NMG) eradication was no longer technically feasible given the volume and distribution of spread. On the 19th of September 2023, the NMG approved the recommendation of the CCEPP to transition from the eradication program, to a transition to management program. On the 13th of February 2024 the NMG approved the National Transition to Management Plan. Beekeepers are encouraged to continue to check for varroa mite and report all results of varroa mite surveillance to the Bee 123 portal. To learn more about this decision, please click here. |
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