Image: Agriculture Victoria conducting surveillance on sentinel hives along NSW border.

Victorian Permits

Following extensive tracing and surveillance activities by NSW DPI, the consultative committee for the national varroa eradication response continues to accept the NSW general emergency zone (GEZ) or ‘blue zone’ (see map) as being free of Varroa destructor.

The national decision was made on the basis that surveillance data provides 99.99 per cent confidence that varroa mite is not present in this area. Victoria is supportive of this decision and will now assess permit applications to move interstate registered hives, that have been continuously located more than 25 km from an infected premise, into Victoria. All movement requests will be subject to strict permit conditions and active compliance checks, coupled with testing, training and traceability requirements.

Please note that Victoria’s testing requirements are independent of the NSW Biosecurity Order’s alcohol wash requirements, so please double check Victorian permit conditions. Permits will not be granted for queens, escorts, and queen cells from New South Wales at this time.

For more detailed eligibility criteria, information, and applications, visit the permit application page on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Reminders:

• Beekeepers are reminded that a health certificate must be obtained for all movements of bees, bee products and used fittings (beekeeping equipment) into Victoria. For more details visit Moving bees interstate.
• All beekeepers are required to keep hive movement records.
• You must ensure you read the following permit that allows you permission to use pure icing sugar, isopropyl alcohol, and methylated spirits. APVMA permit PER92621.
• Remember if you see or suspect varroa is present in your apiary, you must report it immediately by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline: 1800 084 881

Report suspect Varroa mite

Varroa mite is a notifiable exotic disease of bees under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994. Report any suspect Varroa mite or any other exotic pest or disease immediately to the national Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. In Victoria this hotline is staffed 8 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 6 pm on weekends and public holidays – please leave a message outside these hours.

This information is kindly provided by:

Honey Bee Biosecurity team

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Victoria, Australia