AGRIFUTURES Australia has been awarded almost $500,000 to investigate the feasibility of a national apiary traceability system to protect honeybees from the spread of pests and diseases, such as varroa mite.
Varroa mite is the greatest known threat to honeybees and industries reliant on pollination.
A national traceability system would better monitor the movement of beehives, giving apiarists’ the tools they need to manage the health of their bees and provide Australia’s trading partners with reassurance.
The establishment of such a system, would assist producers by protecting their market access through the enablement of efficient tracing, further increasing trust in the quality of Australian honeybee products abroad.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Anthony Chisholm, said about 35 per cent of the nation’s crops rely on bees for pollination, which makes varroa mite a major threat to Australia’s Ag sector.
“Australia’s traceability systems contribute to biosecurity preparedness and surveillance for exotic pests and diseases, enabling better identification, response and recovery, while supporting our growing international trade relations,” he said.
“It’s critical that producers across Australia remain vigilant, regularly check their hives and report any abnormalities to their relevant state or territory authority to support early detection.”
In September 2023, the Federal Government supported the transition to a management phase aimed at improving industry systems and combating the spread of varroa mite, eventually leading to the establishment of a National Varroa Mite Management Program.
This project complements those efforts by informing and guiding the industry on the feasibility of a national system, while aiming to be more cost-effective and compatible with current traceability systems in place across Australia’s agriculture sector.
The grant will also support innovative research, development and extension activities that align with national biosecurity objectives by promoting a cooperative and forward-thinking biosecurity approach.
