PDF Print E-mail

A NEW REPORT ON THE HONEY BEE INDUSTRY

 

 

 Des Wilmot, Crop Pollination Association, Lindsay Bourke, AHBIC Chairman, Dick Adams MP, David Llewellyn MP, Bill Weiss, President FCAAA & Julian Wolfhagen, President Tasmanian Beekeepers at the launch in Launceston on 22 July 2008.

 

Dick Adams, Federal Member for Lyons, was today very pleased to launch the Primary Industries and Resources Committee report, “More than Honey”, to David Llewellyn, Minister for Primary Industries and Resources and members of the beekeeping, forestry and agriculture community in Tasmania.


The report was tabled in Canberra in June, and addresses the challenges facing the honey bee crop pollination and related industries in Australia.

 

“I am asking the State Minister to work with me to help implement the recommendations in the report.”

 

Dick Adams said that the report contained 25 recommendations, including:

 

  • Providing funding and organizational resources to establish and run Pollination Australia;
  • Establishing guidelines for beekeepers access to public lands, including national parks;
  • Providing incentives for the planting and conservation of melliferous flora;
  • Maintaining and enhancing the National Sentinel Hive Program;
  • Fast tracking the pre-registration of pesticides to combat the Varroa incursion;
  • Establishing and funding a national endemic pest and disease control program;
  • A request that the ACCC investigate pricing practices;
  • Improve product standards for imported honey; and
  • Better product labeling.

 

“We rely on the honey bee industry, not only in Tasmania’s world famous honey, but also to pollinate many food crops.

“Without honey bees, many of Australia’s agricultural industries would not be viable, and the Nation’s food security would be at risk.

 

“In Tasmania, agriculture, Government and forestry work together to secure resources for the honey bee industry.  Tasmania can be a leader in the honey bee industry”, Dick Adams said.

 

Mr Adams emphasized that there was a clear need to invest in biosecurity measures, especially the National Sentinel Hive Program, and research and development for the industry.  Saying that only through such investment would the honey bee industry and pollination dependent agricultural industries remain strong and viable into the future.

 

“The Varroa destructor mite poses a real threat to the future of the honey bee industry.

 

“Tasmania is ideally placed to take advantage of the cooperation between various sectors to ensure that the honey bee industry grows and prospers”, Dick Adams said.

 

Copies of the report can be obtained from the committee’s website at:

http://www.aph.gov.au/house/committee/pir/honeybee/report.htm

 

For a hard copy please contact:

Committee Secretary
Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Resources
PO Box 6021, House of Representatives

Parliament House ,CANBERRA   ACT  2600 

Phone: 61 2 6277 4500   Fax: 61 2 6277 4424

email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it