CEO Report March 2025

The big dry continues across southern parts of Australia affecting honey production across SA and Vic. What looked like promising honey flows in Victoria have now been revised down due to the onset of cooler nights. Fires have also impacted many beekeeping sites across Vic and SA causing damage which will have flow on effects into next season. Conversely floods and endless rain in QLD and northern NSW has created its own set of issues for beekeepers in those areas. 

At AHBIC we have continued to grind away on the industry issues and offer to support to our state member bodies where we can. Over the last month we have continued our work in the Varroa Transition to Management Program, met with DAFF in Canberra to discuss imported honey, liaised with the APVMA and varroa treatment manufacturers, and attended BerryQuest, National Pollination Strategy workshop and a Manuka Honey Association strategic planning day.  

Varroa Treatments

National Varroa Transition to Management Program

During the prolonged negotiations for the T2M program AHBIC was successful in arguing “exceptional circumstances” and had the program extended from 12 months to 24 months.  However, this extension didn’t include an extension in budget. 

As a result, we are seeing the first of some of the Varroa Development Officer (VDO’s) roles ending specifically in NSW first. However, due to T2M budget savings NSW has been able extend 3 VDO (down from 9) roles through to the end of December, just short of the T2M Program end. As part of transition away from the transition project NSW DPIRD have been able to secure NSW Treasury funding for additional 3 Bee Biosecurity Officers to help continue the beekeeper engagement within NSW.  This is great for the NSW industry and hopefully other jurisdictions follow with similar investments.

Red Dwarf Honey Bee Incursion in WA

A further 2 colonies and 1 abandoned nest have been found and destroyed, still within close proximity of the original detection.  Re-testing of all Red Dwarf Honey Bee and European Honey samples for Deformed Wing Virus have returned negative results with further samples being collected. There are still 3 active sites where foraging Red Dwarf Honey Bee’s are being found. Further surveillance continues weather permitting.

Subcommittee activity

The Imported Honey Subcommittee chair has been active in representing the subcommittee to government.  Jon with an AHBIC delegation met with DAFF whilst in Canberra to discuss imported honey and the actions the department are taking.  We are pleased that our of-the-shelf testing results are being used by the National Measurement Institute (government laboratory) to review current national testing protocols. We also discussed what is happening overseas and what further action the department will be taking to level the playing field.  We are pleased with the progress but acknowledge until real on-ground outcomes are achieved the job is not done. 

The levy review subcommittee has been meeting monthly working through the current levy, the forecasted budget and ideas to restructure the current levy to be more equitable across the industry.  The subcommittee work has identified the need for reform without which will see finding for our program’s runout in the near future.

Meetings/events

I attended Beery Quest in Hobart and spoke to the audience about Varroa and the biosecurity response.  This was a great opportunity to connect with the berry industry understand their challenges and make sure honey bees was on their agenda.  One of the big take–aways for me is that the berry industry is now the most valuable horticultural industry valued at $1.3 billion dollars GVP. 

The Month Ahead

The month ahead has less meetings which will allow for the team to catch up on office jobs and make good progress on issues.  We have a number of subcommittee meetings scheduled and a member bodies meeting and also an upcoming virtual meeting with National Residue Survey technical panel. 

Hopefully Autumn brings some honey for those who need it most and some rain where it is needed. 

Danny LeFeuvre

CEO