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 EmploymentTuesday, October 07, 2008 - 03:47 PM
Source: American foulbrood is a serious disease of honeybees. Since 1998, the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Strategy has imposed requirements on beekeepers and others in their management of American foulbrood. The original ten-year term of the strategy expires on 30 September 2008.The Minister for Biosecurity has notified a review of this strategy to determine if it should be continued, and if so, whether any amendments are necessary. Submissions on the strategy and on American foulbrood management are requested by 5pm, 28 November 2008. Read the Discussion Document (375 KB) The contact person for this strategy is: Holly Foran Policy and Risk MAF Biosecurity New Zealand PO Box 2526 WELLINGTON Email: holly.foran@maf.govt.nz Phone: (04) 894 5687  Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 03:23 PM
With the introduction of Varroa mites to New Zealand our Ruakura based apiculture team is focussed on ensuring that honey bees remain a viable source of pollination for plants and horticultural crops.The team currently has a vacancy for a researcher to contribute to a range of projects in apiculture and pollination. This will involve the collection and analysis of field and laboratory data, the reporting of results and contributions to experimental design. You’ll need to hold a relevant BSc or equivalent qualification and have practical experience in apiculture and field-based research. Experience in pollination research would be an added advantage. Of course you’ll be comfortable working with bees and wasps and will be able to work with flexibility when occasional after-hours work is required. Please visit our website www.hortresearch.co.nz for more information including application details. To apply, send your application details, C.V. and a covering letter to Human Resources, Private Bag 92 169 Auckland or vacancies@hortresearch.co.nz Please quote vacancy number 1058. Applications close 11th April 2008. Read the Position Description. Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 01:41 AM
To whom it may concern:I am very anxious to pursue bee keeping as a career. In November of 2007-January 2008, I flew to Australia and had the opportunity to tour a few urban and commercial bee keeping apiaries in New South Wales and Queensland. I was very impressed with the skill and enthusiasm at the apiaries and gained very useful knowledge and insight into beekeeping. I have experience with a neighbor's hives and in a week will assist in extracting the honey this season. Last year, I decided that I wanted a job that made a difference or at least a positive impact on the environment such as bee keeping. If you need a helper that is educated, dependable, hard working, and eager to learn the operation then I just might be that person to fill any available positions. Willing to travel (have a current passport), work seasonal, temporary, full time or relocate for the right to learn the trade. Available immediately. I have attached my resume for your review. I plan on following opportunities that allow me to gain more experience and knowledge about bees. Thank you for reviewing my resume. I hope to hear from you soon. Regards, D. Castner Carr Some say every third bite of our food is dependent upon honey bees. Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 03:05 AM
Jakob Sauer, 21 year old German is seeking for a temporal (1 year) job as a beekeeper in NZ.Jakob finished Waldorf school in 2003 and received his CSE at a public school in 2004. 2004 - 2005 he was in training at a dairy farm. Since 2005 he is in training at a big beekeeping. This is accompanied by a 6 month theoretical education at a governmental bee institute (LAVES). He will finish training in August. Please contact Jakob for further information by email: oasauer@web.de Sunday, January 13, 2008 - 01:34 PM
Dear Sir/Madam:Do you need a beekeeper who is hardworking and well-experienced in general beekeeping management such as pests and diseases control, colony production and hive construction. If you do, please consider me for the position. I am presently managing my own bee farm here in Nagcarlan, Laguna, Philippines, tasked to perform wide variety of beekeeping function such as extracting honey, queen rearing, assessment of quality bee products, knowledge in equalizing and boosting of colonies and among others. I have been in beekeeping activities since 2003 and I have attended numerous training seminars. My other skills include driving light vehicles, motorbikes, and other livestocks raising. Read full article: (633 bytes more)
Thursday, October 25, 2007 - 01:30 AM
My name is Golibjon. I live in Tajikistan. I was born in a family of beekeepers and I am a beekeeper. I want to work in New Zealand to improve my knowledge in sphere of beekeeping. I'm vice president of Beekeeper's Association of Tajikistan. Also I am working as a project manager in a Beekeepers association of Sogd region (Republic of Tajikistan). Recently I participated in an International Beekeepers congress in a Melbourne (Australia) and I met Indian people who work as beekeepers in Australia and New Zealand. Also I visited your web site www.nba.org.nz and found out some courses for beekeepers there. Have I any possibility to work and cooperate with you in order exchange with our experience and knowledge. Looking forward your letter Best regards, Golibjon Sultonov Monday, September 03, 2007 - 03:32 PM
Dear Sir/MadamGreetings! I am Mr. William A. Lopez a filipino citizen a hard working and well experienced beekeeper. Presently working here in NZ as beekeeper. I've been in Saudi Arabia since 1988-1990 and lately in Canada last season of 2005 as beekeeper. My work will expire this coming October. I would greatly appreciate you if you could find me a job or employer here. Hope to hear from you soon Sincerely Yours, Mr. Lopez E-mail: qoheleth_weelee@yahoo.com Tuesday, July 31, 2007 - 08:16 PM
Must have commercial beekeeping experience (pref. 4-5 years). Applicant must be able to work alone efficiently as well as manage a small team.For details of the position and remuneration please contact Andrew on tel (07) 377 2203 fax (07) 377 2204 or by email on bees@lvhoneyco.com. Monday, July 09, 2007 - 10:18 PM
Hello,My name is Matias, I'm from Chile and I'm looking for job in Agriculture or Beekeeping area. I'm sending to you my CV. Please contact me for any suggestion. Thankyou so much. Matias 64 9 820 3214 64 9 828 5379 Read Matias currriculum vitae. Monday, April 16, 2007 - 05:24 PM
Hi, my name is Andres Villegas, from Argentina. I finished my Msc in Biology Science in the National University of Mar del plata. The matter of my Thesis is about Varroa's distribution in hives' broodcells . In this research I tested diagnosis in hives brood cells in order to identify parasite load. Being a registred Beekeeper. I arrived to Auckland 7 months ago, I have been improving my english, working in different items and as well three months in the Auckland Museum like a volunteer in the Entomology area with director Jonh Early, and after collecting insects in the north island for the collection of the museum. Obviously me and my girlfriend fall in love with the environment and would like to stay longer in NZ. Now a days, returning to the papers, translating my Thesis and reading books. I?m ready now to start working again. Well it would be very kind of you if you could inform me about the present available jobs like beekeeper, researcher or any help that I can offer. I attached my C.V. Thanks a lot for your time. Andres Villegas. Contact details 51 Home Street Auckland Tel: (09) 376 8198 Mobile: (027) 2092500 E-mail: avillega@mdp.edu.ar Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 04:56 PM
I am Christopher S.Baltazar, married, and presently residing at Brgy. Oogong, Sta. Cruz,Laguna, Philippines. I'm a government employee and a hobbyist beekeeper. I learned beekeeping from a friend who's a hobbyist beekeeper. Likewise, I also recieved advise from other beekeepers through constant consultations and exchange of experiences. I read many information materials and watched videos about bee culture. I also attended non formal and formal beekeeping seminars. I have been in this field for almost 4 years and my wife is my partner in the management or our apiary.We love bees because it provides happiness and is an alternative income of my family. Specifically, I am familiar in all aspects of proper beekeeping such as queen rearing, medications, honey harvesting and extraction, pollen trapping, dividing of colonies, feeeding, wax melting and foundation, carpentry, driving, etc.. In this light, I would like to apply as beekeeper. With my knowledge and skills in beekeeping, I know that I can be beneficial to your company. Read Christopher's Resume Wednesday, November 29, 2006 - 01:59 PM
I am Christopher S.Baltazar, married, and presently residing at Brgy. Oogong, Sta. Cruz,Laguna, Philippines. I'm a government employee and a hobbyist beekeeper. I learned beekeeping from a friend who's a hobbyist beekeeper. Likewise, I also recieved advise from other beekeepers through constant consultations and exchange of experiences. I read many information materials and watched videos about bee culture. I also attended non formal and formal beekeeping seminars. I have been in this field for almost 4 years and my wife is my partner in the management or our apiary.We love bees because it provides happiness and is an alternative income of my family. Specifically, I am familiar in all aspects of proper beekeeping such as queen rearing, medications, honey harvesting and extraction, pollen trapping, dividing of colonies, feeeding, wax melting and foundation, carpentry, driving, etc.. In this light, I would like to apply as beekeeper. With my knowledge and skills in beekeeping, I know that I can be beneficial to your company. Read Christopher's Resume Thursday, September 14, 2006 - 03:49 PM
my name is ulrich berr from germany i am a beekeeper and looking for work in nz again this comming season i was in contact with you last year already so maybe you still remember me well i would like to inform myself about the present working situation for the comming season from its not the first time we write each other i also hope that you still got all the nessasary facts and skills about my person in your computer if not i could send them to you again well it would be very kind of you if you could inform me about the present available j?bs and put me on a job searching list if possible maybe there is an oportunity to work with your company this year or you might know another beekeeper who is in need of help this comming season thank you meanwhile already and hope to hear from you soon take good care, all the best cheers Ulrich Berr E-mail: ulrich_ludwigberr@yahoo.de Monday, August 28, 2006 - 02:44 PM
I am beekeeper from Serbia and I keep up to 50 hives. I wish to move to New Zealand with my family and find job as a beekeeper. I am experienced in work with bees but I would like to prove my knowledge working for someone and at the same time attending one of the courses on Telford Rural Polytechnic.Is there in your branch commercial beekeepers that need and want to employ young, ambitious and willing to work and learn ? If you know for some farm and company please write to me. My e-mail: danijelbee@ptt.yu and radulebee@yahoo.com. Thank you. Daniel Radulovic. Thursday, March 09, 2006 - 08:36 PM
Hello, My name is Stanislav Nelsonov Nenov. Please find my CV attached. If you are interested please let me know. Regards Read full article: (1981 bytes more)
Monday, March 06, 2006 - 12:17 AM
My name is Stanislav Nelsonov Nenov. I am a highly motivated, hard-working beekeeper looking for a job in the field of beekeeping or queen-bee breeding that will help me broaden my professional experience and learn new international practices. Please find my CV attached to this e-mail. If you are interested please let me know. Read full article: (1926 bytes more)
Friday, February 24, 2006 - 02:13 PM
This letter is to remind you about the requirement, under the Animal Products Act 1999, for bee product secondary processors to have a risk management programme (RMP) registered by 1 July 2006 if official assurances (export certificates) are required for their products. Technical queries relating to template RMPs should be addressed to Natalie Watson phone (04) 463 2644 or email natalie.watson@nzfsa.govt.nz Technical queries related to other applications for RMPs should be directed to Jim Sim phone (04) 463 2609 or email jim.sim@nzfsa.govt.nz Catch-up RMP Workshops A series of risk management programme workshops was held last September to help processors get to grips with the new system and provide guidance in completing RMPs. Catch-up workshops are scheduled for those who missed the original workshops as follows. Kerikeri: Wednesday 15 March, 10.00am - 3.30pm Please contact Julie Humphrey on (04) 463 2622 or email julie.humphrey@nzfsa.govt.nz to register for catering purposes (lunch is provided) and to be advised of workshop details which are still being finalised. Please note: places are limited and priority will be given to those who did not attend a workshop last year. Registrations for these workshops must be received by Friday 10 March 2006. Please accept my apologies if you have received more than one copy of this letter. Contact information was obtained from two different sources and while we have endeavoured to eliminate duplicates some are unavoidable. Yours sincerely Peter Fairless Monday, February 20, 2006 - 04:10 AM
<img src="/docs/Anderton_ 20_Jan016.jpg"align="left">President Jane Lorimer, Vice President Neil Farrer and Executive Officer Jim Edwards of the National Beekeepers Association along with the MP from Gisborne Moana Mackey met today with Hon Minister Jim Anderton over the imminent importation of Bee Products. We believe that we had a very constructive meeting with the Minister, who took on board our concerns over the differences of opinion that had been raised on the technical issues. He has indicated that these areas will be addressed. Minister Anderton has recognised the value of bee pollination to the economy and will do as much as he can short of putting in place trade barriers that are not scientifically justified. The timeline for the import health standards to be finalised is likely to be sometime in May. We also discussed possible future strategies for the future for the industry including continued bee product research, a New Zealand branding strategy and education and training. At the conclusion of the meeting we met with Kevin Ikin from Radio New Zealand Rural report. Jane and Neil were interviewed and spoke about the meeting with the Minister and the impacts of imports on the beekeeping industry and pollination. Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 02:45 PM
I am a job seeker presently staying in Auckland. I have vast experience of I am ready to work anywhere in New Zealand. I am looking for genuine job offer Thanks and kind regards, Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 03:28 PM
Source: Biosecurity New ZealandBiosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) is investigating a suspected New to NZ bee, Anthidium manicatum, found in Napier in early February 2006. The species has not yet been confirmed as specimens are being sent overseas for validation. The initial discovery of a nest with male and female adults and pupae was made in a window frame in a house on Napier Hill. There is no association with imported goods. Anthidium is a large genus of cavity nesting solitary bees found on all continents except for Australia. They collect pollen as food, many of which have restricted plant food ranges. Females possess a sting, but are not known to be aggressive. A site visit by Graham Burnip (Biosecurity New Zealand Investigation and Diagnostic Centre) and Barry Donovan found both male and female adult bees at sites around 1.5km apart. This suggests that the species has been present for some time. Both collections were made from flowers of a single host species, Linaria purpurea (purple linaria). A specimen, tentatively identified as Anthidium manicatum, has also been submitted by an entomologist from a site in Nelson. Barry Donovan's initial assessment is that this species may have little impact on honey bees. However, BNZ is collecting further information and awaiting a summary report from the investigation. Wednesday, February 15, 2006 - 03:26 PM
The Southern North Island is holding a branch meeting in the AgriQuality Conference Room, Batchelor Centre, Palmerston North, on 27th Feb starting 10am. Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:53 AM
To be held at the Honey Centre, Perry Road, Warkworth 4th of March 2006. The Auckland and Northland Branches of the NBA are holding a combined field day at the Warkworth Honey Centre on Saturday 4th March. All welcome. Details below: Venue: Honey Centre, Perry Road, south of Warkworth (good signage on SH1). Programme 10 am David Yanke - Queen rearing or carniolans 10-30 Varroa treatments Discussion 11-00 Mark Goodwin or Michelle Taylor 11-30 Jacqui Todd – The impact of viruses in colonies that are infested with varroa mites, with particular reference to Kashmir bee virus 12-00 Lunch 1-30 Discussion on excess sugar feeding 2-00 PMS and reason for it 2-30 ACC speaker Note: The Programme may not follow the above order. Sausage sizzle $2 per sausage with bread, onion & tomato sauce. Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:51 PM
Media Release Members of the National Beekeepers Association are concerned that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry could allow the introduction of a new honey bee disease causing organism into New Zealand. New Zealand beekeepers are still reeling from the ravages of the varroa bee mite that has killed most feral hives, reduced managed hives in the North Island by 22,000, and caused many beekeepers to give up beekeeping. Since Varroa arrived almost six years ago, the country has lost a total of 1,990 beekeepers, 3,171 apiaries and 27,314 hives from the industry. It is predicted that further decline will result from the importation of honey. MAF has conducted a risk assessment as the first step in allowing to the import of foreign honeys into New Zealand despite that in their own assessment the honey will carry live European foulbrood (EFB) bacteria the causative agent of EFB disease. Although the MAF risk assessment states that ‘There is no completely objective way of determining at what level honey becomes safe’ it goes on to conclude that having one live EFB bacteria in 300ml of honey is a safe concentration which will not infect New Zealand bees. This is without knowing the number of bacteria that may be carried in imported honey. Should EFB disease become established in New Zealand beekeepers would need to feed antibiotics to control it. It is expected that hive numbers would decrease even further with a yet greater loss in the pollination services they provide. Overseas EFB is particularly devastating on hives used for commercial pollination. Ends. President of the National Beekeepers Association: Executive Officer: Jim Edwards Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 12:49 PM
<img src="http://www.nba.org.nz/docs/February2006.jpg"align="left">In the February Issue:President's report Executive Secretary Swansong Executive Officer's report Profile Rex Baynes Bees in their bonnets Varroa Agency Incorporated news Virtues of varroa Quality of standards From the colonies About the Apiary Letters to the Editor Importation of honey Sugar prices may rise Trees and Shrubs of New Zealand Wednesday, February 08, 2006 - 12:35 PM
President Jane Lorimer of the National Beekeepers Association says that the imminent importation of honey and other bee products threatens the viability of beekeeping and the future of pollination of New Zealand’s export crops and pastures. National Beekeepers Association representatives met this week with officials from Biosecurity New Zealand to express their concerns about the conclusions of a risk analysis that will see imports permitted under new standards, to be finalised this month. North Island beekeepers are still reeling from the arrival of Varroa almost six years ago. In that time, the country has lost 1,990 beekeepers, 3,171 apiaries and 27,314 hives from the industry. It is predicted that further decline will result from the importation of honey. The NBA is concerned not only for the viability of beekeeping, but also for the flow on effects following the decrease of hive numbers and the exit of beekeepers from the industry as the economics of beekeeping decline with loss of domestic market share. The flow on effects are primarily related to the decreased pollination services to the horticulture and agriculture sectors. Demand continues to grow, but those sectors have a limited ability to pay for the pollination fees that beekeepers will be forced to charge in order for their businesses to remain economically viable. Jane Lorimer says that the World price for honey is about half that currently received by New Zealand beekeepers. While the shopper may benefit from cheaper honey, the country as a whole will not because of the secondary effects on the horticulture and agriculture pollination. The National Beekeepers Association will now lobby the Government for support to protect the viability of beekeeping and the costs being forced onto the horticulture and agriculture sectors. For further information, please contact: President: Jane Lorimer Executive Officer: Jim Edwards Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 01:44 PM
I am 56 years of age, been bee-keeper for about ten years. I have 45 units today and I make my own queens. I am good working with wood and I construct all the material myself. Normally I work with marketing and sale for a small theatre group, making plays for small children on tours in schools. We are three people in the group. The others are married to eath other, and he comes from US and she have relatives from India. The job is not so constant and there are periods of unemployment now and then. My wife is working at the tax authorities and the two girls are about 25 and 27 years old lives their own life. My boy is 16 years. I live in Malm?, the third town of Sweden, in the south. If it is possible for me to work in New Zealand, I would suit me to go in october and stay till end of february 07. Just like an idea. Edvin Svensson Monday, January 23, 2006 - 09:54 PM
Reproduced with permission of Food Standards Australia New Zealand from http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/mediareleasespublications/factsheets/factsheets2006/healthclaimsproposal3128.cfm There have been media reports that fresh fruit would not be allowed to have health claims as their naturally occurring sugar content was too high. This isn’t correct. Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ) clear intention is to allow health claims on healthier foods such as fruit and vegetables while preventing health claims on foods high in salt, fat and sugar. FSANZ is currently seeking comment on a proposed health claims standard before finalising it mid-2006. The proposed upper limit of sugar would only apply on the few occasions when a general level health claim is linked with a specific company brand of fruit, for example ~‘Big Banana brand bananas are a good source of fibre which assists digestive health. ~Most fruit are sold by the name of or type of fruit, for example as ‘apple’or ‘golden delicious apple’, rather than a specific name brand. The proposed upper limit would notapply to the majority of healthy eating claims about fresh fruit including: § General dietary advice such as‘eat 5 serves of vegetables and 2 of fruit each day’or‘eat at least five servings per day; at least 3 servings of vegetables and at least 2 servings of fruits’. § ~Specific advice about a fruit or type of fruit such as ‘a healthy diet should include bananas’or ‘a healthy diet should include lady ~ finger bananas’. § General level health claims about a fruit or type of fruit such as ‘bananas are a good source of fibre which assists digestive health’. § Vitamin or mineral claims about fruit such as ~ ‘oranges are a good source of vitamin C’. As part of the current round of public comment, FSANZ is working with industry, growers and health professionals to make sure we achieve sensible results. We are particularly seeking comment and feedback through briefings on how to draw the line to exclude less nutritious food from health claims while allowing healthier foods to make claims. What are health claims? Food Standards Australia New Zealand is currently seeking public comment on a new nutrition, health and related claims standard which will involve a major change to food labels to assist consumers make informed choices and encourage the food industry to develop healthier products. The draft assessment report for health, nutrition and related claims was released for public comment on 28 November 2005. ~ There is more information on exactly what health claims are at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/whatsinfood/healthnutritionandrelatedclaims/. The proposed standard is at http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/standardsdevelopment/proposals/proposalp293nutritionhealthandrelatedclaims/index.cfm ~the period for submissions closes on 31 March 2006. ~ Extensive stakeholder briefings have already been held in Australia and New Zealand. Why are there upper limits for saturated fat, salt and sugars in the proposed health claims standard? This proposed standard is intended to ensure that health claims are not made on less nutritious foods, so upper levels per serve have been set for sugars (16g), saturated fats (4g) and salt (325mg). There is no upper limit for sugars, saturated fat and salt that apply when lower level nutrient claims or vitamin and mineral content and function claims are made. What about the naturally occurring sugars in fruit? The upper limit proposed for total sugars for all foods, not just fruit, is 16 g of total sugars per serve of food. However,as mentioned previously, this would only occur if there was a link with a specific brand of fruit. This level was selected after a comprehensive analysis. ~ As a part of this process, food composition data were used to determine which types of foods wouldbe likely to be excluded from making a general level health claim if certain disqualifying criteria were applied. We are aware that, depending on serving size, branded offerings of some ~ fruit, could be excluded from making some general level health claims by the proposed ~ total sugars level of more than 16 g per serve. Sugar levels in fruit can also be affected by seasonality or the variety of fruit grown. We are doing further work on this issue. Some media reports have indicated levels of total sugars in some fruits that are higher than levels for the same fruit in food composition data used by FSANZ. Note that a serve size is the fruit as it is eaten, so it will not include the core of an apple or the stone in a peach. Why can’t only added sugar be considered? When developing this proposal, both total and added sugars were considered as a possible basis for disqualifying criteria. Total sugars were considered the more appropriate nutrient group, given that both total and added sugars contribute to energyintake, and are digested and absorbed by the body through the same mechanism. Practical considerations around the limited availability of data relating to the added sugar content of individual foods and the consequent enforcement difficulties were also considered. For example, enforcement agencies would have to obtain recip? information from manufacturers to determine whether sugar had been added and what sugars were naturally occurring. In some cases concentrated fruit juices are used to sweeten productsand these juices would be considered ‘natural’but still have the same kilojoules and lack of additional nutrients as cane sugar. Is fruit healthy? Yes, dietary advice in Australia is that you should eat 2 serves of fruit and 5 serves of vegetables a day for good health and in New Zealand it is to eat at least five servings per day: at least 3 servings of vegetables and at least 2 servings of fruits . Most people do not consume this amount. This dietary advice regarding consumption of fruit will not be affected by the new health claims standard. What is going to happen now with health claims and sugar levels in fruit? FSANZ’s intent is to allow health claims on beneficial foods consistent with national nutritional guidelines such as fruit and vegetables, however in finalising this standard, there are difficulties in drawing the lines between these foods and those considered to be inappropriate to carry health claims. ~ FSANZ is seeking public comment to ensure that new standards will work effectively and meet public health and safety needs so we appreciate the feedback we have received. FSANZ is working with consumers, health professionals and industry to achieve sensible results and we are especially interested in seeking ideas to resolve this issue. Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 04:05 PM
Please note that the consultation on the import health standards for bee products closes on 20 February.You will find them on the Biosecurity New Zealand website at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and-consultation/consultation/ihs If you want to make any comment, it is important that you take the opportunity to make your submission before the deadline. The consultation process is explained at: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and-consultation/consultation Jim Edwards Executive Officer Sunday, January 01, 2006 - 12:49 AM
The NBA Secretary will be mailing out the accounts for annual subscriptions in early January. To be a current member of the NBA and receive the benefits of membership, you must pay your subscription by 31st March at the latest.
Subscription rates are: Hobbyist (less than 11 hives) $ 90.00 + GST Sideline/Commercial (11 to 100 hives ) $ 170.00 + GST Commercial level 1 (251 to 700 hives) $ 770.00 + GST Commercial level 2 (701 to 1500 hives) $1400.00 + GST Large Commercial (1501 to 3000 hives) $2000.00 + GST Mega Commercial (over 3000 hives ) $2500.00 + GST Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 10:39 PM
Notification of Consultation on the Issuance of Draft Import Health Standards for the Importation of Specified Bee Products The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) must consult with interested parties before issuing or amending (other than of minor nature) import health standards in accordance with Section 22 of the Biosecurity Act (1993) and Biosecurity New Zealand’s consultation policy. An import health standard (IHS) specifies zoosanitary requirements that must be carried out, either in the country of origin or of export, during transit, or in quarantine, before biosecurity clearance can be given for the commodity to enter New Zealand. MAF must ensure that these requirements are technically justified and provide an appropriate level of biosecurity protection. Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of specified bee products from all countries, dated 22 December 2005 Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of specified bee products from Australia, dated 22 December 2005 Import Health Standard for the importation into New Zealand of specified bee products from Pacific Island countries, dated 22 December 2005 A copy of the above draft standards can be viewed on the MAF website at: These draft IHS’s are based on the Import Risk Analysis: Honey Bee Products (December 2004) http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests-diseases/animals/risk/ira-bee-products.pdf and the Import Risk Analysis: Honey Bee Products - Review of Submissions (November 2005) http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests-diseases/animals/risk/honey-bee-product-subs.pdf . The purpose of the Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products from Australia is to provide new access for bee products. This standard has specific conditions for each state, which are based on the Import Risk Assessment: Honey Bee Products and MAF's assessment of the honey bee health status of each state. The purpose of the Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products from all Countries, and the Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products from Pacific island countries, is to revise existing conditions for bee products and to ensure that sanitary measures are based on the Import Risk Analysis: Honey Bee Products. When issued, these two import health standards will replace the Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Honey and Propolis from Pitcairn Island and the Import Health Standard for the Importation into New Zealand of Specified Bee Products. Comments on these draft documents should be forwarded to MAF by close of business on 20 February 2006. Depending on the results of consultation, it is anticipated that the new requirements will be in place by March 2006. MAF encourages respondents to forward comments electronically to the email address below. However, should you wish to forward submissions in writing, please send them to the address that follows: Sally Aitken Fax: 04 819 0662 Please see the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand website for additional information on ‘Making a submission’: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/consultation.htm#submission Submissions received by the closure date will be considered for the final issue of this import health standard. Submissions received after the closure date may be held on file for consideration when the issued standard is next revised/reviewed. Please note that your submission is public information. Submissions may be the subject of requests for information under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA specifies that information is to be made available to requesters unless there are sufficient grounds for withholding it, as set out in the OIA. Submitters may wish to indicate grounds for withholding specific information contained in their submission, such as the information is commercially sensitive or they wish personal information to be withheld. Any decision to withhold information requested under the OIA is reviewable by the Ombudsman. Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 08:45 PM
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry - Quarantine Service (MAFQS) recognised the work of Accredited Persons (APs), who identify unwanted pests entering the country in sea containers, at the Inaugural MAF Accredited Person Awards, held in Auckland. Ariki Bratton, William Harris and Tony Tyler and their employers, Kiwibond, Sims Pacific and Delmaine Fine Foods, received Christmas hampers, for detecting the highest number of biosecurity contaminants at transitional facilities this year.  Individual winners from Left to Right: Tony Tyler from Delmaine Fine Foods, Auckland William Harris from Sims Pacific Metal, Auckland Ariki Bratton from Kiwibond. AucklandMAFQS Auckland Cargo Manager, Charles Hatcher said that without the support of these dedicated people and their employers these unwanted organisms and contamination may not have been found. “The support of industry is essential to the success of this programme. MAFQS is indebted to employers who encourage staff to train and participate in the AP Programme. This extension of MAF’s ‘eyes and ears’ is an essential part of the country’s border control,” Mr Hatcher said. MAFQS has an established network of over 18,500 APs throughout New Zealand. Providing front-line support to MAFQS, they ‘keep watch’ for unwanted pests at the 6680 transitional container facilities around the country. “It only takes one introduced pest to damage our country and one of us to stop that pest. The service provided by APs, working largely in the logistics industry, is vital to the protection of New Zealand’s biosecurity and our way of life,” he said. Mr Hatcher thanked Horticulture New Zealand, Meat & Wool New Zealand, Deer Industry NZ, New Zealand Pork Industry Board, Fonterra, Wine Industry New Zealand, National Beekeepeers Association of New Zealand, and Tourism Industry Association New Zealand, for their generosity and support of the Inaugural Accredited Persons Awards. The organisations provided fresh produce, meat, cheese, and wine, plus family day trips to Waiheke, Rangitoto and Devonport to fill six Christmas hampers, which were presented to the award recipients at a ceremony at Butterfly Creek, Auckland Airport. APs are trained to recognise the variety of pests and organisms they are likely to find in and on containers, cargo and packaging. Each has an understanding of the importance of biosecurity and the role they play in protecting New Zealand. NBA President Jane Lorimer thanks the members who contributed to these awards: Maureen Maxwell (BeesOnline), Neil Stuckey (Waitemata Honey), Graham Cammell (Cammells Honey), Young Mee Yoon (Comvita) and Peter Bray (Airborne Honey). Sunday, December 18, 2005 - 01:12 PM
Packed the clothes, the turkey and the sunscreen – what else is there to do? It’s hard enough to remember everything when you’re loading up the car for the summer getaway, but the Varroa Agency has one more thing for the Cook Strait traveller to tick off the checklist – check for stray bees. Bees – both the bumble and the honey bee kinds – have been known to “hitchhike” a ride on vehicles or loads being transported, and that’s a bad thing if you’re crossing from the North Island to the South. North Island bees have a parasite known as the varroa bee mite, and this is killing bees in the north. However the south is varroa free, and they want to stay that way. The varroa bee mite is spread by infested bees moving from one place to another. If North Island bees made it to the South Island, they would bring the pest with them, so they are therefore banned from the South Island. It’s very unlikely bees could fly the distance between the two islands, but one way for a varroa-infested bee to make it to the South Island is being caught on cars or loads. Varroa Agency chairman Duncan Butcher says doing everything New Zealanders can to prevent bees from entering the South island will help the South Island beekeepers to continue supplying their North Island counterparts with parasite-free bees to replace hives lost to varroa. “Bees are the lifeblood of farming and horticulture, and to the economy of New Zealand. We have a responsibility to do what we can to ensure that South Island hives remain varroa free, not only to keep the New Zealand honey industry going, but also to make sure honey bees are free to pollinate garden plants and crops.” The Varroa Agency, formed earlier this year to implement the Varroa Pest Management Strategy, is funded by regional councils and the beekeeping industry. Wednesday, December 07, 2005 - 12:14 PM
President Jane Lorimer and Executive Officer Jim Edwards will be in Wellington on Thursday the 15th of December to meet the Minister of Agriculture Mr Jim Anderton and brief him on the National Beekeepers’ Association (NBA) and issues of concern to the beekeeping industry. During the visit to Wellington, they will also be meeting with officials in the Food Safety Authority and Biosecurity New Zealand to discuss current issues. On Wednesday the 7th of December, the Radio New Zealand Rural Report reported industry concern about the remaining industry concerns about the importation of bee products following the review of submissions to the import risk analysis. Jane Lorimer said in that report that the NBA would be seeking to have a meeting with officials to discuss the technical issues. For further information, please contact either: President: Jane Lorimer or Executive Officer: Jim Edwards Sunday, December 04, 2005 - 12:41 PM
<P align=center>NATIONAL BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND (INC)(As Management Agency for the American Foulbrood Pest Management Strategy)<P align=left>American Foulbrood PMS Manager - Job Description The Manager will be required to: The National Beekeepers Association of NZ (Inc.) ( NBA) is the Management Agency for the American Foulbrood Pest Management Strategy. The NBA was established to improve the beekeeping industry in NZ, to promote the economic and other interests of beekeepers and to promote the production and marketing of honey and related by-products of beekeeping. The NBA also collects and disseminates statistical information likely to be of benefit to beekeepers and formulates submissions on any government policy that might affect beekeepers. The aim of the AFB PMS is to manage and eliminate American Foulbrood (AFB) , to reduce the reported incidence of this disease. The objective now is to ensure that the reported incidence of AFB is 0.1% or less on 1 July 2007. The Association is managed by an Executive Council of eight people, Jane Lorimer (President), Administration services are provided by the Executive Secretary , Pauline Bassett. The Management Agency meets monthly by way of evening conference calls. The Manager for the AFB PMS will report to and be responsible to the Management Agency (Executive Council of NBA). It is estimated that the position will involve an average of 12 hours per week throughout the week, with the months of April, May, June, and July, considerably busier than others. Thursday, November 10, 2005 - 06:56 PM
On 8 November the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA New Zealand) formally approved a first of a kind decision to conditionally release a tiny parasitic Irish wasp (2-3 mm long and not harmful to humans). The wasp has been tested as a biological control agent for clover root weevil through research carried out by Dr Pip Gerard of AgResearch. There will be a period of time for the tiny wasp to establish itself and impacts on the clover root weevil may be observed later. Clover root weevil is considered a significant pest of clover which is a vital component of New Zealand's pastoral economy. Dr Pip Gerard and submitters consider that clover root weevil threatens the sustainable production of clover in New Zealand which is estimated to have an annual value of $3 billion. 'There is great excitement about this first use of a conditional release', says the chair of the decision making committee Dr Max Suckling, 'The conditional release criteria were introduced into the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act in response to recommendations made after the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification. Conditional release is a category of application designed to enable controls to be put on release applications. In this instance the application is for a new organism being released to the environment and controls are being used to make sure that only strains of the wasp that can not hybridise with another strain are released.' A Moroccan strain of this small parasitic wasp has been present in New Zealand since 1982 when it was introduced as a means of controlling Lucerne weevil. All other strains of the wasp have been declared 'risk species' under law because of concerns that the introduction of different strains may result in hybridisation and stop them from being effective at controlling the weevils they were introduced to control. The Irish strain of the wasp is parthenogenic which means that it is incapable of hybridisation because it reproduces without fertilisation. The decision making committee took this into account and introduced a condition that only parthenogenic individuals could be released. 'We have to be very careful to take all risks, costs and benefits into account when we are making decisions and this includes information gained through public submissions and consultation with iwi groups.' said Dr Max Suckling The final decision document is available on the ERMA New Zealand website www.ermanz.govt.nz on our new organism register of applications and decisions. Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 03:54 PM
Source: Blood-sucking, hive-wrecking varroa mites are currently the bee industry's most serious threat. These tiny but potent parasites have destroyed up to 70 percent of hives in some parts of the United States, threatening the insects that help pollinate $15 billion worth of nuts, fruits and vegetables grown annually. In their search for a more lasting, nonchemical solution to the mounting mite problem, ARS bee researchers John Harbo and Jeffrey Harris discovered a special group of bees that rely on natural instincts to knock down a colony's mite population. At first, the two dubbed their genetically superior bees "SMR" bees because the insects appeared to "suppress mite reproduction." The scientists suspected that the bees were transmitting chemical cues that somehow confused the ready-to-reproduce female parasites. But with further investigation, Harbo and Harris have found that their SMR bees aren't meddling with mite reproduction after all. Instead, the bees are simply exceptional housekeepers. The bees seem to be able to sniff out and find young, developing varroa mites. After homing in on a young mite family situated snugly inside a pocket of honeycomb, the bees initiate their fastidious cleaning. They chew away at the waxy cap of the incubator-like chamber, exposing the minute parasites' numerous vulnerabilities. Over time, with their highly attuned, hygienic impulses, the bees are able to have a significant impact on the overall number of mites infesting a colony. Harbo and Harris, who work at ARS' Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge, La., have made their unique varroa-detecting honey bees available to Glenn Apiaries, a bee supplier in Fallbrook, Calif. Read more about the research in the October issue of Agricultural Research magazine at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct05/hive1005.htm. ARS is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief in-house scientific research agency. Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 09:07 PM
Dr Jim Edwards of World Veterinary Consultants has been appointed the Executive Officer of the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand Inc. Jim will work from his home office north of Otaki.Jim’s involvement in the beekeeping industry goes back to the early 90s when he was in charge of animal exports for MAF. He has a passion for our industry and currently has a number of roles. He consults to individual members, the Honey Packers Association and is Chairman of the Bee Products Standards Council. Jim received his veterinary education at Massey University and worked in clinical practice for 14 years and then the Ministry of Agriculture for 16 years where he became the National Manager of International Animal Trade. He is now an international veterinary consultant. Jim is a former President of both the New Zealand Veterinary Association and the World Veterinary Association and is currently the Vice-President of the Federation of Veterinary Associations. He is the Ministerial appointed veterinarian to the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. He is Deputy Chair of the Kapiti Community Health Group Trust and has taken significant roles in the establishment of the Kapiti Primary Health Organisation and the development of an Internet database of health services (www.kapitihealth.org.nz) available to those on the Kapiti Coast. |
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