The AHBIC team has dedicated a lot of time to the Varroa response.  We have been attending the daily IMT briefings and participated in workshops and meetings. Beekeepers that are affected and have questions or concerns please ring our Varroa Coordinator  Bianca Giggins 0402 467 780.

AHBIC has signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Plant Health Australia (PHA) on which describes AHBIC’s relationships with PHA and how the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program (NSPSP) and the National Bee Biosecurity Program (NBBSP) are managed.  AHBIC, through the MoU is the industry representative overseas our biosecurity and surveillance programs.

AHBIC chaired the National Bee Biosecurity meeting recently.  The main item out of this is that PHA are looking at a more sustainable funding model for the BSPSP and NBBSP, not just for the bee industry but other levied industries as well.

Congratulations to Lindsay Calloway who was selected to go on the Agrifutures Immersion Tour of the USA.  This will be a great opportunity for networking and seeing large scale businesses operate. I am sure that Lindsay will see equipment/technology that can be used or adapted for use in Australia. Lindsay will be providing a report on his return.

An AHBIC members meeting was held.  One item that created confusion was over member body membership fees. This will be included as an agenda item at the AHBIC AGM.

Friends of AHBIC (FOA) – very important friends as they fund our activities.  AHBIC is in the process of automating the FOA system to ensure more timely reminders and to reduce the administration burden. Now is a GREAT time to become a FOA as donations are tax deductible for eligible beekeepers. A HUGE thanks to current FOA as your kind contributions allow us to represent our industry across a broad range of issues and platforms.  Without your contributions AHBIC could not exist as we are not funded through levies and rely on the FOA system to survive.

The Congress committee had their final meeting recently. This was a sad occasion as the team had formed a very good bond. Thank you to all who had input to Congress and made it the success that it was. A job well done.

I sat on the candidate selection panel for the three vacancies on the Agrifutures Honey Bee and Pollination Advisory panel.  Dianna Leemon had to step down as she had served two terms, and Neil Bingley and Rob Manning’s positions were vacated but they are eligible to re-nominate if they wished.  Agrifutures will advertise the results shortly.  Some very worthy candidates applied.

Stephen Targett

Chair