As beekeepers from four states cross borders to pollinate almond trees, there are fears the annual event could help spread the deadly varroa mite around the nation.
An estimated 300,000 hives will be transported from NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria to pollinate almond orchards this year, sparking fears of a varroa mite increase across borders.
"I'd suggest that we've already had a super-spreader event, it's already everywhere and we just haven't found it yet.", which was agreed to by industry bodies in March, identifies best-practice methods to avoid spreading the mite, with an emphasis on education.Queensland apiarists can move their bees under a permit system, assessed on a case-by-case basis, but live bees cannot return to Queensland from New South Wales.
There are no movement or testing restrictions in NSW, a spokesperson for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said, but beekeepers are required to keep records of hive movements from the last three years. He said many beekeepers are struggling with the extra work and higher costs involved in the business now.
Pollination Almond Industry Varroa Mite Almonds Bee Hive Bees Apiarist Beekeeper Almond Pollination Alcohol Wash Australian Honeybee Industry Council Danny Le Feuvre
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