CEO Report April 2026

Just as we almost start to get used to the new world with varroa, along comes resistance. Another devastating game changer for the industry. As we head into conference season, I am sure beekeepers will be soaking up all the information from the expert presenters around managing resistant mites. As we have said in many of our communication the basic principles still remain the same. Rotate your modes of action and monitor your mite numbers.

APVMA and product registrations

There has been commentary in industry around the APVMA process and what role AHBIC plays. I have provided a brief explanation on AHBIC’s role for both emergency permits and full registrations in a separate newsletter article in this edition.

There has also been some commentary around the recent Canadian oxalic acid strip registration supported by the Canadian honey council and comparisons to NZ own use permit system and again AHBIC’s role. The Canadian registration system is very different to Australia.  They can register active ingredients by providing shared a common data set. Multiple labels/products can then leverage that common data set to expedite the process. This does not allow for the use of generic products as some are suggesting. Only products registered with the PMRA (Canada’s version of the APVMA) can be used, which in that aspect is similar to the Australian system. The devil is always in the detail.

Alternative varroa treatments

AHBIC continues to meet with manufactures searching for new products and encouraging them to expand to our market. We also work with our RDC’s in Hort Innovation and AgriFutures to ensure research is occurring to find new solutions. We sit on many steering committees to ensure the outcomes of the research is practical and useful for beekeepers. Some of the work that is underway includes;

• Fungal bio-control through Macquarie University
• RNAi interference technology with multiple projects and some startups progressing this technology in Australia. This is the same technology as Norroa (Canadian based RNAi product)
• Projects by Southern Cross University (Dr. Cooper Schouten) and NSW DPIRD to assess and compare treatments and efficacy including off-label work
• Macquarie Uni (Dr. Theotime Colin) developing non-chemical control methods of mite management
• Australian Queen Bee Breeding Association national varroa mite breeding strategy to select for varroa tolerance.

Operation Decker – Federal Investigation into Varroa

AHBIC has lobbied DAFF to re-initiate the investigation in light of, what is now confirmed, a new varroa incursion. We continue to provide information where we can, along with NSW DPIRD. We have not had any confirmation from DAFF that they will re-open the investigation as yet. Anyone who has information around either of these two incursions can anonymously report by calling Red Line on 1800 803 or via their website: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/policy/legislation/compliance/redline.

Imported Honey

We continue to work with DAFF who now have the testing results from the national imported honey survey. DAF is working with participating jurisdictions on next steps.  This is a positive outlook with DAFF recognising the seriousness of the issue and commitment to finding solutions.

Red Dwarf Honey Bee Incursion – Burrup Peninsula WA

The most recent situational update from the WA DPIRD team has again reported no further detections of foraging red dwarf honey bees in the quarantine zone. This is very encouraging with no new detection since July 2025. The proof of freedom surveillance will continue through to the end of 2026 and with no new detections proof of freedom will be achieved.

Biosecurity preparedness work

We are pleased that AgriFutures has funded the development and updating of our key industry biosecurity preparedness documents. These include the biosecurity plan and several high priority pest contingency plans, including tropilaelaps mites. These documents provide the foundation for any future responses with the current versions outdated or missing, so this project will significantly strengthen our preparedness as an industry. Industry consultation is a feature or the project, and beekeepers will have the opportunity for input.

The Month Ahead

Conference season starts in the coming weeks with NSW in Bathurst being the first. AHBIC will have a presence at all state conferences culminating with the Tasmanian conference in Launceston early July along with the AHBIC AGM.

We continue to participate in the fuel crisis meetings, food security discussions and continue overseeing the Plant Health Australia managed biosecurity programs. The Plant Health Australia AGM and deed meetings are in Adelaide this May. This will include a deed review meeting where AHBIC will feed in the lessons from the varroa response.

Danny LeFeurve

CEO