The federal government is investigating the suspected illegal importation of infected live bees as the state battles a new outbreak of varroa mite infestations.
Key points:
- The NSW DPI has referred information to federal authorities over suspected illegal live bee importation
- NSW is battling 215 infestations of varroa mite
- Australia had been the only continent free of the pest prior to last year
A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson said key information was passed to them from NSW DPI on June 23, which prompted the establishment of Operation Decker.
Varroa mite was first detected in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle in June 2022.
Since then the deadly bee parasite has infected 215 premises across New South Wales.
The numbers have increased in the past week with multiple outbreaks, including a new infestation in Kempsey.
DPI on Thursday detected varroa mite in Euroley in the Riverina and Euston in the Sunraysia region of NSW where hives from Kempsey were sent for almond pollination.
Australian Honey Bee Industry Council chief executive Danny Le Feurve said he hoped the investigation could provide the industry with answers.
“It’s great news that there is an investigation into how varroa got into Australia,” he said.
“It’s really important we identify the entry pathway so we can shut that off.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry confirmed Operation Decker was linked to the varroa mite incursion but declined to provide further details.
“This is an active investigation and to protect the integrity of the investigation and the department’s investigative processes, we are limited to what I can comment on in relation to this investigation,” a spokeswoman said.
Why import live queen bees?
Like any agricultural industry, whether it is cattle, sheep or honey bees, producers use genetics, sometimes from around the world, to select traits that boost productivity.
There are legal pathways to import queen bees in Australia but breeders need to go through strict measures via a federal government quarantine facility in Mickleham, Victoria.
The process for queen bee breeders requires significant technical expertise, is expensive and, according to industry leaders, is rarely used.
Plant Health Australia chief executive Sarah Corcoran said her organisation was responsible for a cost-sharing arrangement between the government and the 15 other industry groups affected by the varroa outbreak.
She said illegal importation had been a concern in the past.
In 2000 a NSW man was prosecuted after being detected trying to smuggle queen bees into Australia that were concealed in pens.
“And I guess it’s the ones that we know about, which are good news stories, because that’s what we want to see happen,” Ms Corcoran said.
“We don’t want people bringing things in illegally.
“But it’s the ones that we don’t know about, I guess that are the most concerning.”
She said finding possible illegal pathways for importation was important for the industry.
“It also allows for education and awareness,’ she said.
“The last thing we want to see is producers in any industry cut corners when it comes to importing breeding stock or genetics.”
Mr Le Feurve said if an illegal importation was confirmed, the industry would want reassurance about detection programmes.
“If it was illegally brought in, well we know we need to do a better job with sniffer dogs at airports sniffing for queen bees,” he said.
Earlier this year it was revealed Australia’s sniffer dogs hadn’t been sniffing for queen bees and were not on the beat when the deadly varroa mite arrived last year.
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