The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) now welcomes registered commercial beekeepers who are seeking to move bees and beehives in low-risk areas of NSW to complete their Hive Movement Declaration.
NSW DPI has worked in consultation with the apiary and horticultural industries in NSW to carefully develop a plan through a risk-assessed approach to enable critical business continuity and pollination services for commercial beekeepers.
NSW DPI Chief Plant Protection Officer Dr Satendra Kumar said while a statewide standstill of hives still applies, movement from the general biosecurity emergency zone is being allowed under the permit-based system, however restrictions continue for the eradication, surveillance or notification zones.
“Our intensive surveillance and tracing activities, on top of the statewide lockdown and creation of emergency zones continues to play a critical role in our response efforts,” said Dr Kumar.
“At the same time, we have a responsibility to support the State’s primary industries and recognise the essential role bees play in agricultural production.
“This is why we have opened a safe and traceable way to allow the crucial movement of honeybees and apiary equipment and allow for the honey and pollination season to get underway while minimising risk of any further spread,” he said.
The Biosecurity Emergency Group Permit only applies to a person (or corporation) who has completed the Tocal College Varroa mite online training, has complied with specified alcohol washing requirements, and has completed the Hive Movement Declaration on the NSW DPI website.
NSW DPI’s efforts to arrest the Varroa mite spread are being assisted by the apiary industry, Local Land Services (LLS), NSW Police, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and the wider community.
