Varroa Response Update

This information is current as at 6:30pm Friday 25th August 2023.

NEW SOUTH WALES

The current infected premises is sitting at 221.

A new IP has been confirmed in hives traced from the Kempsey cluster to almond orchard in Nericon, north of Griffith in NSW.  The standard 10km RED and 25km PURPLE emergency zones have been put in place.

Other infested premises have been confirmed one in Kundabung, two in Dondingalong, one in South Kempsey, one in Euroka. These confirmed detections have resulted in expansions of the Kempsey RED and PURPLE zones.

AHBIC is working with the NSW DPI to find a pragmatic risk managed compromise to facilitate moving hives off almonds to prevent a bigger mess occurring.  Until this plan is worked through no hives should be move in, out or within any of the RED or PURPLE emergency zones in Euroley, Euston or Nericon. Increased police presence has been coordinated in these regions.  We anticipate being able to communicate the plans for these zones early next week.

Ongoing urgent DPI surveillance activities will continue to focus on the Kempsey cluster and traces out of Kempsey to other locations in NSW. 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. The collection of additional information and data are required before further decisions and considerations can occur as to the ongoing response activities.

DPI is working with stakeholders to identify potential solutions to get hives off almond orchards and onto other crops. DPI recognises there are now a significant number of hives impacted by these red and purple zones. However, we ask the industry to remain patient while we gather further surveillance data over this weekend as a result of this new detection.

In a large response such as this one, it can take time to collect all the necessary information to make an informed and appropriate decision on response activities. A meeting of the technical advisory committee (CCEPP) is planned for 31 August 2023 to consider these recent developments.

Informing the DPI of hive locations assists in speeding up the process of gaining a comprehensive understanding of the situation. Report apiary, wild colony and swarm locations to the DPI by calling the hotline 1800 084 881 or adding directly to the form on the DPI website https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/12288

Beekeepers in the BLUE zone are able to move hives, they must complete a movement declaration form PRIOR to moving hives within the BLUE zone. Use the NSW DPI form: https://forms.bfs.dpi.nsw.gov.au/forms/12344

VICTORIA

Varroa mite has NOT been found in Victoria.

In line with Varroa detections in NSW, the detection at Euston has resulted in the establishment of a Surveillance Emergency Zone (SEZ) extended into Victoria, prohibition on the movement of beehives, including any affected livestock products, fodder and fittings, has been established within 25 kilometres of the detection under the Victorian Control Area Order.  No movement is allowed into, within or out of the 25 km zone.

 

The 25 km zone in Victoria includes Euston and Robinvale in the north east, Happy Valley in the east, Margooya and Wandown in the south, and includes Boundary Bend in the west.

AHBIC is also working with the AgVIC to find a pragmatic risk managed compromise to facilitate moving hives off almonds to prevent a bigger mess occurring.  Until this plan is worked through no hives should be move in, out or within any of the Victorian Surveillance Emergency zone. We anticipate being able to communicate the plans for these zones early next week.

AHBIC is now also working with AgVIC as Industry Liaison Officers and will continue with Victorian updates within our existing varroa response updates.

 

You can reach out to AHBIC via:

Varroa Coordinator Bianca Giggins bianca@honeybee.org.au  0402 467 780