Update to the NSW DPI Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order NO.16
Please find below the latest update to the NSW DPI Biosecurity Emergency order.
Please find below the update from NSW DPI published 29/07/2022 at 6.00PM.
As expected, the number of infected premises within the existing red zone area has increased today, the count is now at 55. This is because they are often in close proximity to existing hives.
The new detections have been identified within existing red eradication zones in the Hunter area.
Work continues on euthanising infected hives within the existing red zones across the region.
Reimbursement for registered recreational beekeepers in red eradication zones
Recreational beekeepers affected by varroa mite will be reimbursed for the destruction of their hives and bees under the agreed National Response Plan.
If you are a recreational beekeeper and your hives are to be euthanised within a red eradication zone, there are three options for reimbursement.
- Destruction and disposal of bees and hive ware
- Euthanised bee colony and keep hive ware
- Euthanised nucleus hives
Reimbursement amounts
The amounts available for reimbursement are as follows:
- Destruction and disposal of a fullsize hive - $550 dollars per single hive.
- Keep hive ware - $200 per single hive.
- Euthanised Nucleus hives - $200. (The beekeeper can opt to retain or have the nucleus hive ware destroyed and disposed of, the amount of reimbursement will be the same).
Process
An Authorised Officer will work closely with the registered recreational beekeeper, record details of the hives, taking photos and completing the necessary paperwork.
Only registered recreational beekeepers will be eligible for the reimbursement package and DPI is working with beekeepers and industry to finalise the payment process.
---
Updates for beekeepers within the red eradication zones
A new Biosecurity Emergency Order has been issued to allow beekeepers in the red eradication zones to work their hives to prevent swarming, and also to remove honey in the 48- hours before their bees are euthanised.
Preventing swarming in red zones
Beekeepers may tamper with a hive to prevent swarming by placing an empty honey super on the hive and moving frames between the honey super on the hive.
Beekeepers should immediately notify the NSW DPI if the person suspects the presence of Varroa mite in their hives, by calling the Exotic Plant Pests Hotline on 1800 084 881.
Beekeepers may only transport an empty super for the purpose of managing swarming:
- Directly to the premises from the enclosed space at which the empty super has been kept, without stopping at any other premises at which bees or hives are present.
- By only carrying empty supers intended for hives at the premises, and no other empty supers.
Once the empty honey super is placed on the hive, it must remain on the hive, and the person cannot harvest the honey or move the hive or any of the components of the hive.
Harvesting honey from infected hives prior to euthanisation
Beekeepers within the red eradication zones are permitted to remove honey from their infected hives, if they are to be euthanised in the following 48 hours.
- Beekeepers must decontaminate all vehicles that will be used for transporting honey supers, before and after the move.
- The honey super must be cleared of bees and sealed so no bees can enter.
- The honey supers must be taken to an enclosed space for honey extraction.
- Transportation can only take place within the eradication zone and by using the most direct route.
- Beekeepers must not move any part of the brood box.
- Honey must not be extracted until the honey super is stored in a bee proof manner for 21 days or at -20 degrees Celsius for 72 hours.
Removal of honey from a flow hive
If an Authorised Officer advises a person in charge of bees that the bees will be euthanised within 48 hours, the person may tamper with a flow hive to extract honey from the hive, via the tap that is part of the hive.
