Empowering Beekeepers: Introducing Varroa Development Officers to Safeguard WA's Bee Industry
In a proactive move to safeguard Western Australia's bee industry, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has secured funding for 2.5 full-time equivalent (FTE) varroa development officers as part of the national Transition to Management Plan.
Varroa mite poses a significant threat to European honey bees and was first detected in Australia at the Port of Newcastle (NSW) in June 2022. Despite exhaustive eradication efforts over 15 months in NSW, eliminating varroa mite from Australia was deemed unfeasible.
The Transition to Management Plan aims to curb the spread of varroa mite and mitigate its impact on the European honey bee industry and pollination-dependent sectors.
Vincent Lanoiselet, DPIRD's Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer, emphasized that varroa mite remains absent in Western Australia, thanks to stringent border quarantine and surveillance measures.
"The varroa development officers will play a crucial role in equipping our beekeepers with the necessary knowledge and skills to safeguard their hives," Dr. Lanoiselet stated.
Tailored resources, including online webinars and face-to-face training sessions, will be rolled out nationally to provide comprehensive training and support.
Additionally, the varroa development officers will collaborate with volunteer beekeepers, beekeeping clubs, and societies to establish and maintain a voluntary varroa mite monitoring program.
To address concerns and bridge knowledge gaps related to varroa mite, a national pollination industry coordinator will liaise with pollination-dependent industries.
Updates to the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice and the Bee Biosecurity Manual will complement these efforts with additional assistance and resources.
Mikey Cernotta, Vice Chair of the Bee Industry Council of WA (BICWA), stressed the importance of beekeepers staying informed and implementing best practice biosecurity measures.
"BICWA advocates for tailored training and education specific to WA's needs. Our priority is to keep WA free of varroa," Cernotta emphasized.
The varroa development officers will empower WA beekeepers with the knowledge and skills needed to conduct essential hive checks, ensuring WA's continued resilience against varroa infestation.
FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What is the role of varroa development officers in Western Australia? A: Varroa development officers in Western Australia play a vital role in training and supporting beekeepers to prevent varroa mite infestation, ensuring the resilience of WA's bee industry.
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