Dear Members, 

Biosecurity Queensland have confirmed the Movement Control Order (MCO) previously in place restricting the movement of honey bees within the control area has expired as of Saturday 31 August 2024. 

Following the detection of varroa mite (Varroa jacobsoni) and Asian honey bees (Apis cerana) at the Port of Brisbane in February 2024, Biosecurity Queensland have now lifted the restrictions on movements and  beekeepers may now freely move their bees and beekeeping equipment throughout the state of Queensland. 

Beekeepers are asked to continue to monitor for varroa mite at a minimum of 16 weeks using the alcohol wash method and report their results to the Bee 123 portal. 

Please report any unexpected hive deaths, deformed bees or irregular or suspicious bees to Biosecurity Queensland immediately by calling 13 25 23.

For further information, please visit:

Biosecurity Queensland - Port of Brisbane information

All the best, 

Jo Martin. 

Dear Members, 

Please click on the attachment below to read the latest update with relation to the detection of Varroa jacobsoni at the Port of Brisbane. 

Please continue to check your hives frequently for varroa. Report all results to Bee 123. 

Port of Brisbane Varroa Mite Detection - Update 6 22032024.pdf

All the best, 

Jo Martin 

Dear Members, 

Please find attached below the latest update relating to the detection of Varroa mite at the Port of Brisbane. 

Port of Brisbane Varroa Mite Detection - Update 5 12032024.pdf

Please continue to check your hives for the presence of varroa mite and report all surveillance activities to the Bee 123 portal. 

All the best, 

Jo Martin 

Dear Members, 

Please click on the attachment below to read the latest update relating to the detection of Varroa jacobsoni & Apis cerana (Asian honey bees) in the Port of Brisbane. 

Port of Brisbane Varroa Mite Detection - Update 4 05032024.pdf

All the best, 

Jo Martin 

Dear Members, 

Please see the attachment below to download and read the latest update relating to the response to the detection of Varroa jacobsoni at the Port of Brisbane. 

A Movement Control Order was issued on Monday the 26th February 2024. We strongly urge all members to read the movement control order (MCO) carefully to remain across the conditions of the MCO.  Should you have any questions about the MCO, please call DAF on 13 25 23 or email varroa@daf.qld.gov.au

Port of Brisbane Varroa Mite Detection - Update 3 01032024.pdf

I have also linked the Frequently Asked Questions guide to this post. Please click here to download a copy. Alternatively, this FAQ sheet can be found at the top of the Port of Brisbane incursion page within our website. 

Your QBA ILO team are continuing their work in the Incident Management team supporting the surveillance activities, response operations, and public engagement work. 

We will continue to provide further updates when possible. 

All the best, 

Jo Martin. 

Dear members, 

Please click on the link below to read the media release relating to the detection of Varroa jacobsoni in the Port of Brisbane. 

Please continue to check for varroa and report your results to the Bee 123 portal. 

Click here to download the media release.

All the best, 

Jo Martin 

Dear members, 

Please click on the attachment below to read the latest update with relation to the response to the detection of varroa in the Port of Brisbane. 

Port of Brisbane Varroa Mite Detection - Update 2 27022024.pdf

Please, check for varroa and report your results. 

All the best, 

Jo Martin. 

Dear Members, 

The QBA is writing to our members and our affiliate clubs to inform you of the detection of a suspect mite in the Port of Brisbane.

At this early stage preliminary testing has indicated that this mite is Varroa jacobsoni. 

A movement control order has been issued and is effective immediately. Please click on the link below to read the movement control order. 

Click here to read the Movement Control Order

I have also established an independent website page within our membership portal that provides beekeeper impacted in the zone with immediate direction. The new sub-page can be found by clicking on the link below. 

• Port of Brisbane Incursion
  

At this stage, the executive actively encourage all members of the QBA and our associate clubs to initiate varroa mite surveillance at their earliest opportunity and report all results to the Bee 123 portal. 

Our ILO's are already in place in the Port and in the Incident Control centre. Please stay tuned for the next update. 

All the best,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary