As a result of the arrival and endemic status of Varroa destructor within Australia, a project under the National Transition to Management of Varroa Mite was to address necessary changes to the Code of Practice as well as the Biosecurity Manual.

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (the Code) has been developed in consultation with beekeepers and governments to provide a clear framework for Australian beekeepers to engage in best-practice biosecurity.

In the context of beekeeping, biosecurity can be defined as a set of preventive measures designed to reduce the risk of introduction and spread of pests
or diseases in bees. The principles of good beekeeping biosecurity describe the actions a beekeeper should take to minimise the impact of pests and diseases on their bees and the bees of other beekeepers.

The objectives of the Code are to:

• Increase productivity in the Australian honey bee industry by improving the general level of pest and disease control by Australian beekeepers.
• Assist beekeepers in recognising exotic pests and diseases of bees and prepare for an exotic or emerging pest/ disease response.
• Ensure beekeepers conduct regular surveillance for the presence of exotic and endemic pests and diseases.
• Assist with the management of Varroa mite in Australia.
• Assist in the management of significant endemic diseases of bees, particularly American foulbrood (AFB).
• Facilitate the cross-border movement of bees through adoption of a single national code for biosecurity practices.
• Ensure the future viability and sustainability of the Australian honey bee industry

Both documents are now available for all beekeepers across Australia, with access to download via the AHBIC website www.honeybee.org.au/biosecurity