The detection of varroa destructor in New South Wales has presented many dynamic challenges for our industry members in recent weeks. 

The basis of our email today is to assist the QBA in identifying those beekeepers who currently have Queensland based hives, stranded in NSW and work on solutions to provide support to beekeepers in this concerning situation. 

We've already received a number of calls from QBA members with hives stranded outside of Queensland, however we're now calling on others to come forward and make their own situation known to the QBA. 

Although we've been advocating for measures to support beekeepers with stranded hives for some time, we're keen to build a more accurate profile of the true situation in order to better understand exactly where support is needed. 

At the present time we are keen to hear from any QBA member who has Queensland based/registered hives stranded outside of the state. To be clear, this does not include beekeepers from Queensland who are currently providing pollination services in Victoria. 

If you happen to have hives stranded outside of the state, we ask that you make contact with me (Jo Martin) as a matter of priority. I can be contacted via phone on 0498 000 496 or via email statesecretary@qbabees.org.au 

It is our intention to collect data on the current location of hives, the total number of hives and the immediate needs for the colonies. We plan to use the data collected to:

1. Understand the number of hives and beekeepers currently impacted.
2. Understand where the hives are located in relation to current biosecurity zones. 
3. Understand the immediate support needed to sustain beekeeping operations.
4. Work one on one with the beekeepers impacted to provide tailored/individual support.

All information provided will be treated as strictly confidentiality and with the greatest respect to privacy of personal information. 

As a final note, if you happen to know of a beekeeper with hives stranded outside of the state, who isn't a member of the QBA,  please point them in our direction for support. 

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

Please find the latest update from the NSW DPI in relation to the varroa mite incursion and subsequent response operation. The update was published a short time ago (16/08/2022) and contains important updates to the response and eradication operation, as well as additional changes to the NSW DPI Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order. 

NSW DPI Website Update - 16/08/2022

Transition of yellow zone into blue General emergency zone

55 days in to the Varroa mite emergency response, the yellow zone (which contains over 3,700 registered beekeepers), is now transitioned into the blue general emergency zone.

This means that those that were in a yellow notification emergency zone now fall under blue general biosecurity zone rules.

Our intensive surveillance for the length of the response provides DPI confidence and a clear understanding of the limit of the spread of Varroa mite. More information on the zone transition can be found in the latest media release https://fal.cn/3r3Vk

This achievement is thanks hundreds of people in the honeybee industry and from our agency partners across NSW and in other jurisdictions. We've worked together to report, test and trace the Varroa mite incursion to where it is.

We continue to work towards eradicating Varroa mite in NSW.

What can I do in each zone?

A new emergency order has been issued (https://fal.cn/3r3Vl), which specifies what beekeepers are permitted to do with their hives in each zone. A revised set of frequently asked questions will be made available tomorrow (Wednesday 17 August) at https://fal.cn/3r3Vm.

Current situation

The number of infected premises remains at 97, with no new IPs detected for a number of days. Work continues on eradication of IPs in the Hunter area, and Varroa mite surveillance in the Narrabri and Nana Glen areas.

NSW DPI Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order No.22

To read the latest changes to the NSW DPI Varroa Mite Emergency Order, please click the attachment below. 

• Biosecurity Varroa Mite Emergency Order No. 22.pdf

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Please find the latest update from the NSW DPI in relation to the varroa mite incursion and subsequent response operation. The update was published a short time ago (16/08/2022) and contains important updates to the response and eradication operation, as well as additional changes to the NSW DPI Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order.

NSW DPI Website Update - 16/08/2022

Transition of yellow zone into blue General emergency zone

55 days in to the Varroa mite emergency response, the yellow zone (which contains over 3,700 registered beekeepers), is now transitioned into the blue general emergency zone.

This means that those that were in a yellow notification emergency zone now fall under blue general biosecurity zone rules.

Our intensive surveillance for the length of the response provides DPI confidence and a clear understanding of the limit of the spread of Varroa mite. More information on the zone transition can be found in the latest media release https://fal.cn/3r3Vk

This achievement is thanks hundreds of people in the honeybee industry and from our agency partners across NSW and in other jurisdictions. We've worked together to report, test and trace the Varroa mite incursion to where it is.

We continue to work towards eradicating Varroa mite in NSW.

What can I do in each zone?

A new emergency order has been issued (https://fal.cn/3r3Vl), which specifies what beekeepers are permitted to do with their hives in each zone. A revised set of frequently asked questions will be made available tomorrow (Wednesday 17 August) at https://fal.cn/3r3Vm.

Current situation

The number of infected premises remains at 97, with no new IPs detected for a number of days. Work continues on eradication of IPs in the Hunter area, and Varroa mite surveillance in the Narrabri and Nana Glen areas.

NSW DPI Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order No.22

To read the latest changes to the NSW DPI Varroa Mite Emergency Order, please click the attachment below. 

• Biosecurity Varroa Mite Emergency Order No. 22.pdf

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Please find attached below the latest QBA Members update covering information relating to the National Varroa Update, Queensland Varroa Update and QBA Business Update. The communication has been prepared by QBA President Jacob Stevens. 

• QBA Members Varroa Update 15082022.pdf

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Please find below the latest update to the NSW DPI Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order No.18 issued by the NSW Chief Plant Protection Officer. 

• Biosecurity Varroa Mite Emergency Order No.18.pdf
  

Varroa Mite response Daily Update (NSW DPI Biosecurity Varroa Mite Update Wednesday 3rd August 2022 at 7.00PM

Two new case​s of Varroa Mite ha​ve been detected at One Mile and Anna Bay in the Port Stephens LGA, within the existing eradication zone, ​increasing the total number of Infected Premises to 64.

Due to the success of the surveillance in the outer regions there has been a greater focus over recent days in the ​eradication ​zone which has lead to the increase in number of Infected Premises.

All confirmed cases so far either have clear links to existing cases or are geographically related.

Beekeepers in the Surveillance zones should continue monitoring their hives for the presence of Varroa Mite and keep up to date with the latest information on the NSW DPI website Varroa Mite Emergency Response page www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa

New factsheets outlining how beekeepers in each of the zones can manage their hives and the restrictions that apply within each zone are now available from the NSW DPI website.

Industry and community support continues to be critical in reducing the risk of any further spread of Varroa mite.
If you detect Varroa mite notify the Exotic Plant and Pest hotline on 1800 084 881. 

Please find below the latest update to the NSW DPI Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order No.17

Biosecurity Varroa Mite Emergency Order No. 17.pdf

Varroa Mite response Daily Update. (NSW DPI Biosecurity) 

Varroa mite tracing and surveillance work has confirmed three new detections of Varroa mite, as field officers continue hive inspections with beekeepers across the state. All new infected hives fall within existing red zones.

The two new detections near Salt Ash and another at Butterwick in the Port Stephens LGA brings the total number of infested premises to 59 since Varroa mite was first identified during routine surveillance at the Port of Newcastle on 22 June.

The new infested hives fall within an existing red zone, but with a new biosecurity order being made, the eradication zone around the Butterwick detection will expand slightly to the west. Tracing is underway to confirm how these sites are linked to previous detections.

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. 

• Biosecurity Varroa Mite Emergency Order No.16.pdf

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.

Please find attached below the latest varroa mite response operation update from AHBIC. The update was published yesterday (31st July 2022).

• AHBIC Varroa Incursion update 9.pdf

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

AHBIC have made an additional call to action seeking volunteers to support the national response effort to contain and eradicate varroa. With the new detection near Coffs Harbour, we are supporting the effort to secure volunteers and putting our voice behind the new call out for volunteers. 

In past weeks the QBA have sent in excess of 40 volunteers to support the program. The individuals volunteering have been a collection of QBA members (both recreational and commercial beekeepers) and members of our affiliate clubs. 

We send our sincere thanks to our team from Queensland, who've been on site now for some time providing expert skill set and support. These individuals have put aside family, business and work to represent the industry in our hour of need and they now need their colleagues to step up. 

We're now calling on all members of the QBA and our affiliate clubs to register their interest to support the program. We have one chance at eradication and we need you on board.

The online registration form has been updated to include a few new fields of information that will support the coordination team to connect skill set and experience with the onsite work demands. 

By completing the online registration form (attached below), your information will be added to the call up list. You will be contacted by the response control centre and provided with an offer to volunteer. In additional, your travel arrangements, accommodation and meal requirements will be confirmed once you've been contacted by the response team. 

• https://forms.gle/3rta7Qf3V3ELkTx78
  

We appreciate everyone is busy given the time of the year, but again we have one chance at varroa. 

Take action today and add your name to the list. 

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary

Please find below today's update published from NSW DPI Biosecurity just moments ago. This information was taken directly from the NSW DPI Biosecurity Facebook page (25/07/2022 at 9.00pm)

NSW DPI Varroa mite tracing and surveillance work has confirmed one new detection of Varroa mite, as field officers continue hive inspections with beekeepers across the state.

The new detection is near Nana Glen, north-west of Coffs Harbour and brings the total number of infested premises to 43.

The new infested hives where the Varroa mite was detected falls outside of existing emergency zones. NSW DPI has established emergency zones around the infested premises.

Our tracing efforts discovered this infested premises near Nana Glen, where infested hives were moved in earlier this year, prior to our Biosecurity Emergency Order was in place. This is connected to one of our existing infested premises in the Hunter cluster.

As an industry group, our intensive surveillance and tracing activities, in addition to the state-wide lockdown and creation of emergency zones, continue to play a critical role in emergency response efforts.

Visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa and use the interactive map to search for your address, to determine what emergency zone you’re situated in.

What should I do? 

- All beekeepers responsible for honeybee colonies or hives within 50km biosecurity zones are either in the Notification zone, Eradication or Surveillance zones.

-In those zones, beekeepers must tell NSW DPI where their honeybees and hives are. This includes queen honeybees in cages and packaged honeybees.

You can notify NSW DPI:

- to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881

- by using the online form at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/varroa

If anyone in NSW has found Varroa mite, they must tell NSW DPI immediately.

Kind regards,

Jo Martin 

QBA State Secretary