CEO Report October 2025

After a short break in September, I have been back working hard to progress industry issues.  Thank you to Bianca for holding down the forte in my absence.  We are continuing to work with DAFF on imported honey and participating in biosecurity roundtables/workshops, writing submissions and working with varroa manufactures in addition to our usual workload.   

Beekeepers are reporting that honey flows have been hard to find around the country with few prospects after the early spring flows.  We are also hearing that packers have been working through their honey stocks and are now actively seeking honey from beekeepers again.  Hopefully this is a good sign that we may see price increases this season, figures crossed. 

Varroa continues to move across the eastern seaboard with a recent detection in SA. While Victoria and Queensland governments continue to ease restrictions with varroa becoming established, in turn making it easier for many beekeepers to operate across borders. The detection of Kashmir Bee Virus in Victoria adds another virus to existing pool of viruses and another reason to ensure hive health is prioritised by beekeepers. 

Kashmir Bee Virus detection in Victoria 

The National Varroa Transition to Management Program Virus Baselining project has been completed with sampling of bees from across Australia. We reported on this project in the August newsletter but were unable to talk to the Kashmir Bee Virus detection until it had been cleared by CCEPP and Agriculture Victoria. 

Kashmir Bee Virus was thought to be endemic in Australia after being reported in 80’s, however contemporary virus surveys have failed to detect the virus since then.  It is thought that the initial reports in the 80’s could have been mistaken for Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus, which is closely aligned to Kashmir but was not a known virus in the 80’s.  This theory is further validated by the baselining survey finding Kashmir in a few apiaries and only in Victorian samples, not broadly across Australia.  If Kashmir was established in the 80’s you would expect it to broadly spread and detectable across Australia by now.  Conversely, the baseline revealed Israeli Acute Paralysis Virus is widespread across Australia indicating it has been present in Australia for some time. 

Due to the extended time between sampling and lab processing and the number of dispersed apiaries that were positive it was determined by the CCEPP that it was not technically feasible to eradicate Kashmir Bee Virus.  This means that no further action will be taken.   

Northern Australian Biosecurity Forum 

I recently attended the Northern Australia Biosecurity roundtable and associated industry workshop.  These meetings were well attended and discussed the many issues in the biosecurity system.  The three big issues highlighted were the ever-increasing number of detections of pests across Australia and the pressure this is putting on the system, the lack of ‘recovery’ activities built into responses and the impact responses have on businesses and growers/beekeepers. 

Another set of biosecurity forums is set to be held in Canberra with similar stakeholders to discuss emergency response reform.  I will be attending this to also feed into the discussions the learnings from the varroa response and the many improvements that can be made to the system. 

Red Dwarf Honey Bee Incursion in WA 

A total of 48 colonies have been found and destroyed; this is 1 more than when I last reported.  Significantly, since colony 48 has been found and destroyed in July, there has not been any further visual sightings of RDHB across the quarantine area.   

Funding has now been agreed for the response with the honey bee industry funding 2.5% of the costs, recognising the significant impacts this pest would have to our industry.  A pathway to proof-of-freedom is now being developed which should be implemented if there are no more RDHB sightings this year.   

Varroa Treatments 

The recent registration of the GreenLight product “Norroa” in parts of the United States, has created discussion in our industry.  AHBIC has been in regular contact with the manufacturer, GreenLight, for the last couple of years encouraging them to consider Australia as a market.  AHBIC has facilitated a local researcher, Dr Emily Remnant to assist in trailing the product in Australia. 

“Norroa” is based on RNAi technology which interferes the mite’s ability to reproduce.  In addition to the local trials there are another couple of local organisations developing similar treatment technology.  We are in close communications with both organisations and are providing any assistance we can to get the products to market as quickly as possible.  

Industry Levy Reform 

AHBIC has developed a detailed business case for levy reform following the consultation at each of the state conferences.  This business case will form the basis for industry communications that will role out in the coming months.  Once the industry consultation is completed then we will hold an industry ballot (online) that will allow anyone effected by the changes to provide feedback and a vote on the changes. We will need a majority in favour vote result to progress the levy changes through to government.  We anticipate this ballot occurring early in the new year. 

BQUAL AGM 

Jon Lockwood (AHBIC Chair) attended the BQUAL AGM as the AHBIC representative board director.  The quick AGM presented the financial statements for approval and held the board elections.  We congratulate the reappointment of Chair Wayne Fuller and Managing Director Paul Costa, along with all the other returning board members.  We look forward to working with BQUAL over the next year. 

Vespa velutina detection New Zealand 

A new detection of a yellow-legged Asian hornets in Auckland is a stark reminder that despite Australia having varroa there are still significant pests on our doorstep that we don’t want. Asian hornets are an aggressive predator of insects, especially honey bees and other pollinators. Exotic to Australia and New Zealand, these hornets can form colonies of up to 2000 individuals in peak season and can have a dominating role in many ecosystems with venom that can be incredibly painful and potentially lethal to vertebrates, including humans.

Biosecurity New Zealand has this week reported the presence of yellow-legged hornets (Vespa velutina) following the discovery of a queen hornet in the early stages of building a nest in the suburb of Glenfield near Auckland. The nest was removed by biosecurity officers on 17 October.

This is further to the two separate male yellow-legged hornets found earlier this year in suburbs of Grafton and Albany. The yellow-legged hornet is a biosecurity concern due to its potential impact on honeybee industry.

The Month Ahead 

AHBIC is focused on progress the industry issues as guided by our member bodies and board.  We are working hard to develop the levy reform communications and progress the imported honey issue (which is slow).  This is in addition to the normal business of AHBIC such as ensuring the National Bee Biosecurity Program contracts are initiated with PHA early and negotiating the next National Bee Pest Surveillance Program funding. 

Towards the end of November I will be attending the Plant Health Australia members meeting, AGM and Plant Industry Forum meetings.  Included in  this series of meetings will be the 5 year Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed review which we are actively participating in.

Danny LeFeurve

CEO