The National Varroa Mite Management Program have sought endorsement from the CCEPP and NMG to be able to now share a publicly available summary of the National Transition to Management Plan. You can view both of these summaries on the AHBIC website:

National Varroa Mite Response Plan V4 Detailed Summary

National Varroa Mite Response Plan V4 Short Summary

National Program Report March 2024

AHBIC will endeavour to snapshot updates as required for all activities within the response T2M, they will be delivered according to the sections included in the summary documents.

Varroa Mite Management Workshops

NSW DPI has progressed the development of education resources for the non-accredited FREE National Varroa Mite Management Program workshops. The National Program will commence face to face workshops beginning in April in NSW and extending across the country in the coming months.

In April events are arranged as follows:

9th April

• Newcastle
• Tamworth
• Bega
• Taree

10th April

• Port Stephens
• Glen Innes
• Nowra
• Macksville

To view the workshop dates and register your attendance, please go to the registration webpage:

Varroa Management Training Registration Page

 

Locations will continue to be announced as the national coordination is completed, this includes workshops across other jurisdictions. AHBIC encourages all beekeepers to attend the workshops covering

• Understanding Varroa mite and its impacts
• The importance of monitoring and treatment thresholds
• Integrated pest management and Varroa
• Chemical treatment options including organic options
• Brood location, frame rotation and management
• Best practice record keeping

Beekeepers should stay informed by being registered in your state, subscribing to AHBIC’s newsletter, becoming a member of a beekeeping association or club and look out for regular updates and details on how you can attend a FREE national workshop near you.

Varroa Mite Management Train the Trainer

The first of three train the trainer events was held at Tocal College early March and involved contract trainers from across NSW who are set to assist in the delivery of the NSW workshops.  The remaining two train the trainer events are yet to be coordinated, AHBIC will share the contract trainer expression of interest form for other state trainers when it becomes available.

Extension and Engagement

Varroa Development Officers are beginning to be employed across Australia with NSW VDO’s already commenced. AHBIC is overseeing all VDO activities nationally, so far we have been working closely with NSW VDO’s as they establish workplans and we have been proactive in progressing VDO recruitment across the other jurisdictions.

Agriculture Victoria VDO positions are now advertised, AHBIC encourages anyone from across Australia to apply if you are interested:

Senior Varroa Development Officer Job in Melbourne VIC – SEEK

Varroa Development Officer Job in Melbourne VIC – SEEK

State & Territory Borders

AHBIC is lobbying for expeditious decision making by jurisdictions in their approach to communicating border crossing regulations. A lot of discussions have been had between the jurisdictions in the last few months, AHBIC has not been involved but has continued to advocate the importance and urgency for jurisdictions to provide clarity around these matters as they have recognised industry implications.

 

 

To learn more about alcohol washing check out the nationally agreed resource Bee Pest Blitz: https://www.planthealthaustralia.com.au/beepestblitz/

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You can reach out to AHBIC via:

Varroa Coordinator 

Bianca Giggins

0402 467 780

bianca@honeybee.org.au

AHBIC, its employees, executive and consultants expressly disclaim all and any liability to any person in respect of anything, and the consequences of anything, done or omitted to be done in reliance, whether wholly, partly, upon the whole or any part of the contents of this industry update document.