CEO Report October 2026

Over the last month AHBIC has continued working on treatment access, pollination and the biosecurity issues facing our industry. Much of this work follows the priorities discussed at the national honey bee industry roundtable earlier in the year. The pressure on beekeeping businesses remains central to these discussions, particularly the cost and labour involved in maintaining healthy colonies and providing reliable pollination services.
Jon has covered the practical challenges of resistance management in his report. Our work at AHBIC has been focused on the research, regulatory and industry coordination needed to support beekeepers managing those challenges.

Varroa treatment access

On 30 October, AHBIC held a Varroa treatment roundtable to continue the work on access to effective treatments. The aim was to improve the shared understanding of the work underway and the gaps that need attention. Research on treatment performance is valuable, but we also need to consider whether the information being collected can support product registration.
One idea raised at the meeting was to develop guidelines for researchers collecting Varroa treatment data. These could help ensure studies produce evidence at a standard that is useful for registration, giving the industry more value from its research investment. I have since raised the idea with AgriFutures for consideration as a possible future project.
Better coordination could help us make the best use of the research undertaken in Australia. Beekeepers need a wider range of suitable treatment options. We will continue following up the roundtable discussions and working with research partners on these needs.

Pollination

The Australian Almond Conference in Adelaide provided another opportunity to speak with the almond industry about pollination. These conversations have continued through October, including a discussion on 26 October about the information needed to better understand pollination supply and demand.
As outlined in the last report, individual accounts of hive availability and colony losses do not give us a complete national picture. Beekeepers and growers need better information to plan, and the industry needs stronger evidence when explaining the implications of Varroa to government.

Biosecurity

I attended the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy Industry Toolbox in Cairns on 20 October, which focused on strategic biosecurity communications. The session considered understanding different audiences, choosing effective messages and dealing with misinformation. These are familiar challenges for our industry, particularly when beekeepers are trying to make decisions while information is changing.

Clear communication needs to be part of biosecurity planning from the beginning. The experience of Varroa has shown how important it is for beekeepers to understand what is happening, where to find reliable advice and what is being asked of them. There is value in sharing that experience with other agricultural industries and learning from theirs.

AHBIC also participated in the Bee Biosecurity Program Reference Group meeting on 27 October. AHBIC is contributing to the review of the program’s planning and surveillance arrangements. Maintaining attention on surveillance is important alongside the immediate demands of managing Varroa.

Levy reform and imported honey

Levy reform consultation continued during October, including a NSW Apiarists’ Association meeting where I responded to questions about the proposal. I have also provided further written information following that discussion. It is important that beekeepers can ask questions and understand what is proposed before making their decision.
Imported honey remains a priority. Our current focus is strengthening border testing and scrutiny of imported honey. This work is about ensuring Australian beekeepers can compete in a market where honey is what it claims to be. We will continue pressing this issue with government and keep the industry informed as the work progresses.

The Month Ahead

In November, we will follow up the Varroa treatment roundtable, continue developing the pollination research discussion and respond to questions through the levy reform consultation. These discussions need to remain grounded in the practical needs of beekeeping businesses and the work that can make a difference on the ground.

The biannual Plant Health Australia member meetings are scheduled for late November. This series of meetings in Canberra include Plant Industry Forum (PIF), Plant Industry Forum Biosecurity Committee meeting, varroa response T2M debrief workshop and the normal PHA member and Deed meetings.

Thank you to the state associations, our Executive and the beekeepers who continue to share their experiences with AHBIC. That information helps us represent the industry in discussions with government and research partners. I hope the season provides some welcome opportunities, and that you travel safely through the busy months ahead.

Please keep looking out for each other.

Danny LeFeurve

CEO