Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 03:50 PM

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is currently consulting with bee industry representatives on the South Island varroa situation and the remaining two years of the four-year varroa response programme which began in June 2006.

MAFBNZ met with the executives of the National Beekeepers Association (NBA) and the Bee Industry Group of Federated Farmers (BIG) in Christchurch at the end of May. A forum was held during the Federated Farmers Bees Conference 2008 in Cromwell this week. A further meeting is planned with beekeeper representatives from regions around the South Island at the beginning of July.

So far, stakeholders are saying they would like MAFBNZ response activities to focus on maintaining movement controls.

MAFBNZ expects to make a decision about the future of the South Island varroa response later in August.

Stakeholders would also like to see the Controlled Area retreat on the western and eastern coasts if the West Coast and Kaikoura are not infested with varroa.

MAFBNZ is analysing autumn surveillance results to determine what, if any, revisions will be made to the interim Controlled Area which came into effect on 13th May 2008. MAFBNZ expects to inform beekeepers of any revisions by the end of July.

Winter is generally a time of low activity for beekeeping operations. However, beekeepers are reminded that complying with movement controls is an important element of slowing the spread of varroa. Beekeepers are also reminded that varroa remains an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993, and it is an offence to knowingly spread it. This is particularly important when uncertainty still remains about the extent of varroa on the West Coast and Kaikoura.
Beekeepers on the West Coast, in Tasman and Kaikoura are urged to test their own hives for varroa mites on bees or in brood early next season. Beekeepers in the South Island detecting varroa in their hives should report the find to MAFBNZ via the 0800 80 99 66 free phone number.
MAFBNZ will continue to provide regular updates through the MAFBNZ website www.biosecurity.govt.nz, industry groups and media releases on the status varroa of in the South Island and associated controls.