News

The National Varroa mite response, implemented by NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has traced Varroa mite to beehives recently moved from near Kempsey to Euston in the Sunraysia region, and Euroley in the Riverina region.

New Emergency Eradication Zones (red) and Emergency Surveillance Zones (purple) will immediately be implemented in these regions, centered on these infestations.

NSW DPI had undertaken urgent tracing of any hive movements from both the red and purple zones around Kempsey since a cluster of infestation was discovered last week and priority surveillance is being undertaken on all trace forwards.

The new detections were uncovered by the national Varroa response program through swift tracing of hive movements from an infested site at Kempsey and from a site in the Eradication (red) zone in that area.

In addition, individual biosecurity directions will be implemented on any other hives traced from Kempsey, which will immediately stop those hives from being moved until the response has surveilled them to prove Varroa mite freedom.

NSW DPI understands that this news will disappoint many in our community. These new detections underscore the importance of all bee keepers reporting the locations of all your hives, undertaking regular alcohol washes to look for Varroa mite and reporting the results of those washes to NSW DPI.

It was exactly this kind of surveillance from a beekeeper near Kempsey that first alerted us to the cluster of infestations we have since uncovered in that area.

The eradication program is a partnership between beekeepers, pollination dependent industries and government and we can only succeed with every partner playing their part.

All beekeepers must:

• Ensure they are registered - Beekeeper registration (nsw.gov.au)
• Report the location of hives - using this online form 
• Undertake mandatory alcohol washes on their hives at least every 16 weeks and report the results to NSW DPI within 7 days - using this online form 

Hive locations and alcohol wash results can also be reported to NSW DPI by calling the Varroa Emergency Response Hotline on 1800 084 881. 

Beekeepers looking to move hives closer to food sources within a zone may apply for a permit that will be risk assessed on a case by case basis.

Current situation 

Total Infested Premises are currently 215.

• Additional detections in the Kempsey area have resulted in extensions of Eradication and Surveillance Emergency zones. This is a rapidly evolving situation – check the website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au and know your obligations relating to emergency zones  
• Detections at Euston and Euroley linked to the Kempsey infestation have resulted in the establishment of new Eradication Emergency (red) Zones and corresponding Surveillance Emergency (purple) Zones (SEZ) in those areas. Tracing and surveillance is underway to map the likely spread of Varroa mite in relation to these detections. 

It is imperative that all beekeepers check the live map on the NSW DPI website here to see which zones apply to sites where you have hives, and the plain English guide to see what requirements apply in each zone.

Your wellbeing 

NSW DPI recognises the impact the varroa mite incursion and eradication process has on our honeybee industry. 

We strongly encourage you to reach out for help or support from our Varroa mite Emergency Response Resilience Officers or your fellow beekeepers, or reach out to the organisations listed in the Assistance Guide for Beekeepers

Varroa Response Resilience Officers - here to help communities and individuals affected by Varroa mite become more resilient to the impacts of this biosecurity emergency.

• Jamie Perry-Meijer: 0477 544 379 or [email protected]
• Jodie Magner: 0477 070 453 or [email protected]
• Varroa mite Response: 1800 084 881 or [email protected]