The QBA weekly varroa mite update for the week ending 6th October 2022 can be accessed via the link below.

• QBA VD Update to Members 06102022.pdf
  

We continue to actively encourage all beekeepers to complete varroa mite surveillance checks as a matter of priority and ensure all results are reported to the Bee 123 portal.

A Movement control order remains in place restricting the movement of bees/hives/carriers of varroa into Queensland. For more information on movement restrictions please visit the DAF Engagement Hub by clicking here. 

Kind regards,

Jo Martin. 

The QBA weekly varroa mite update for the week ending 28th September 2022 can be accessed via the link below.

Please note, over the past week a number of surveillance reporting deadlines within Biosecurity Queensland have changed and as a result the updates will be issued on a Wednesday in the future. 

• QBA VD Update to Members 28092022.pdf

We continue to actively encourage all beekeepers to complete varroa mite surveillance checks as a matter of priority and ensure all results are reported to the Bee 123 portal.

A Movement control order remains in place restricting the movement of bees/hives/carriers of varroa into Queensland. For more information on movement restrictions please visit the DAF Engagement Hub by clicking here. 

Kind Regards, 

Jo Martin. 

The response to eradicate varroa mite in NSW is now entering the next important phase. Eradication of varroa from wild European honey bee colonies located within the eradication zones is the next point of focus in the response program. 

To learn more about this critical next step in the effort to eradicate varroa, please click on the attachment below. 

• Varroa-mite-eradication-shifts-to-removal-of-wild-European-honey-bees-Jerrys-Plains_.pdf

Regular updates on the varroa mite response operation can be found by visiting the link below. 

• https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/biosecurity/current-situation/varroa-mite-emergency-response
  

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Please find attached below the weekly varroa mite situation update from the QBA with key points from Biosecurity Queensland. 

• QBA VD Update to Members 18092022.pdf

Should you have any questions in relation to the update, please contact me via email. 

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

In an effort to condense and streamline information relating to the response to the varroa mite detection in NSW, the QBA will now be producing a weekly update to all members and our affiliate clubs. 

The updates will predominantly be from a Queensland perspective, highlighting our ongoing work to protect Queensland from varroa, and a focus on extension and preparedness measures we continue to work on should we see a detection in Queensland. 

Please click on the attachment below to read the latest weekly update.

QBA VD Update to Members 09092022.pdf

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Please find below an essential update from Biosecurity Queensland relating to the work currently underway to keep Queensland free from Varroa mite. 

Biosecurity Queensland - Update 07092022.pdf

We actively encourage all QBA members and members of affiliate clubs to undertake mite surveillance checks now and report their findings (including negative results) to Biosecurity Queensland through the Bee 123 app. Beekeepers can access the app by clicking on the following link. Bee 123

Beekeepers are also encouraged to visit and become familiar with the DAF Engagement Hub. This information portal provides regular updates to beekeepers as we migrate our way through the dynamic situation we find ourselves in. To visit the hub please click on the following link https://daf.engagementhub.com.au/varroa-mite

On a final note, please ensure you reach out for support, assistance or direction if you have been directly or indirectly impacted as a result of the detection of varroa. We are here to help. 

All the best,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

New permit arrangements are in place in Victoria for the movement of hives, queens, used beekeeping equipment and a range of other bee related products into Victoria from varroa free states and territories. 

Please note, the new permit arrangements do not cover the movement of hives, queens or other related products at this point in time. We encourage members to read the update from Agriculture Victoria below. 

Update from Agriculture Victoria - Published 28th August 2022.

Beekeeper permits

Update: From 23 August, 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 state or territory.

Used equipment (including extracted frames/empty supers) and full honey supers can enter Victoria/Sunraysia from NSW provided they are items owned by Victorian beekeepers and have spent no time since 1 January 2022 in the New South Wales Eradication (red) or Surveillance (purple) Zones. Visit NSW Varroa mite emergency response for more information.

Used equipment (including extracted frames/empty supers) and full honey supers from other states are permitted provided they have spent no time since 1 January 2022 in the New South Wales Eradication (red) or Surveillance (purple) Zones.

Honeycomb, unprocessed beeswax and pollen for feeding bees can enter Victoria/Sunraysia from any state (including NSW), provided they have spent no time since 1 January 2022 in the New South Wales Eradication (red) or Surveillance (purple) Zone.

Application for hives and queen bees from all states except NSW will be assessed.

Permits will not be granted for bees, hives, queens, escorts and queen cells from New South Wales.

For more information relating to the movement restrictions and permit conditions, please click the link below. 

• https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/pest-insects-and-mites/priority-pest-insects-and-mites/varroa-mite-of-honey-bees/beekeeper-permits

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Teams from Agriculture Victoria have been undertaking varroa mite surveillance throughout many of the Almond orchards located in the Sunraysia region of Victoria. During routine surveillance teams made a detection of Braula fly.

Although Braula fly is endemic within Tasmania, the fly is still considered to be exotic on mainland Australia. The QBA were advised late last week that the infected hives are being euthanised and further information will be provided to industry in due course. 

On Saturday 27th August 2022, Agriculture Victoria published the following media release in relation to the detection of Braula fly. 

Please click here to read a copy of the media release. 

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Please find additional correspondence from AHBIC CEO Danny Le Feuvre in relation to the AHBIC Varroa mite industry briefing. 

AHBIC is organising an open information session for the Varroa response in NSW on Wednesday the 31^st August at 6pm.  The session will include presenters from the response that are topic experts.  The link can be shared as widely as possible as the session is open to everyone.

The session is free but registration is required.  Questions will not be allowed form the floor but the chat function maybe facilitated if possible.  We will be recording the session and hosting it on the AHBIC website for those that can’t attend.

To register to participate in the event, please click on the link below. 

• https://www.eventbrite.com/e/varroa-mite-emergency-response-honeybee-industry-briefing-tickets-407816138047
  

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Dear Members, 

Please find attached below the latest update from AHBIC relating to the Varroa mite response and detection of Braula fly in Victoria. 

• AHBIC Varroa incursion update 10.pdf

Kind regards, 

Jo Martin.