National industries and governments decide to transition the Varroa mite program
Media Release from the NSW Minister for Agriculture
Media Release | 20 September 2023
The National Management Group (NMG), driving the Varroa mite program across Australia met yesterday, and has decided to transition its approach to addressing this biosecurity issue confronting the nation’s beekeepers and pollination industry.
After considering the latest scientific data and advice, governments and industry organisations have unanimously decided to move from an eradication program to a management approach.
The NSW Government has agreed with all industry and government partners that the potential to eradicate is no longer possible and that we now need to work collaboratively to manage and minimise the impact of varroa.
Despite the comprehensive $101 million spend and effort to eradicate the mite, the transition from an ‘eradication’ program to a ‘management’ program was concluded because of the many factors working against a possible eradication in Australia.
The NSW Government will work with all the national players and reallocate resources to slowing the spread of the pest and providing management options to help minimising its impact.
Communications are being developed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and industry partners to explain to all stakeholders what this shift in program means and how the government will guide and assist affected stakeholders.
The NMG considered the following major factors for why eradication has not reached its desired objectives:
Non-compliance by some bee industry actors with the NSW Movement Orders and the mandatory hive testing (alcohol washes), and evidence of illegal movement of bees resulting in further spread of the varroa mite.
The recent spike in new detections, have made it clear that the Varroa mite infestation is more widespread and has also been present for longer than first thought.
The increase in new detections and generation of a control area greater than 16,000 km2, has stretched the eradication team’s responses to their technical limit.