Movement of hives in general emergency zone
Registered beekeepers can now submit a Hive Movement Declaration to move their honeybees and hives in low risk areas of the State - primarily for hives that are in the blue general emergency zone.
The plan has been carefully developed through a risk-based approach to enable business continuity and critical pollination services for registered beekeepers in certain parts of NSW.
NSW DPI has worked in consultation with the apiary and horticultural industries in NSW to develop this approach.
The Biosecurity (Varroa Mite) Emergency Order 2022 makes allowance for registered beekeepers to move hives in low risk areas of NSW, while the standstill of movement of beehives remains in place.
Who can move bees and hives in the blue zone?
This applies to a person (or corporation) who has
- completed the Tocal College Varroa mite online training,
- has complied with specified alcohol washing requirements, and
- who has completed the Hive Movement Declaration.
The Hive Movement Declaration is permitted primarily for hives that are in the General Biosecurity Zone (blue zone).
The movement of any hive that has been in the following areas in the 24 month period prior to the date of the proposed movement is not permitted:
- eradication emergency (red) zone
- surveillance emergency (purple) zone.
It may be possible to apply for a permit to move your bees and hives within the surveillance emergency (purple) zone. Call the Hotline on 1800 084 881 to discuss.
The movement of any hive that has been in the Narrabri emergency zones after 30 April 2022 is not permitted.
- This means, the movement of hives that were in the Narrabri zones before 30 April 2022 can occur, once a Hive Movement Declaration has been completed.
The movement of any hive that has been in the Coffs Harbour emergency zones after 1st January 2022 is not permitted.
- This means, the movement of hives that were in the Coffs Harbour emergency zones before 1st January 2022 can occur, once a Hive Movement Declaration has been completed.
Requirements
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Step 1 Alcohol washes | You must alcohol wash the hives at each apiary site under your control at least once every 16 weeks. The number of hives you must alcohol wash depends on the number of hives you have at each site:
You must also submit your alcohol wash results as soon as you have completed the wash through the online form. |
| Step 2 Information you need | A current NSW or interstate commercial beekeeping registration number. Make sure you are moving hives within a General Biosecurity Zone (blue zone). The movement of any hive that has been in the Narrabri emergency zone after 30 April 2022 is not permitted. The movement of any hive that has been in the Coffs Harbour emergency zones after 1st January 2022 is not permitted. The movement of any hive that has been in the Varroa mite eradication emergency zone, Varroa mite surveillance emergency zone or Varroa mite notification emergency zone in the 24 month period prior to the date of the proposed movement, is not permitted. It is required, that beekeepers maintain historical movement records for all hives to be moved, as required by the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Australian Honeybee Biosecurity Code of Practice. |
| Step 3 Complete online course | Complete your online Varroa mite training course. Once done, make sure you save the completion certificate. |
| Step 4 Hive movement declaration form | Complete your Hive Movement Declaration. Once completed, you will have a copy of the declaration emailed to you. |
| Step 5 Now able to move | When travelling, you must
|
Penalties for not complying
Penalties for contravening an Emergency Order or a condition of a permit can be up to $1.1 million or imprisonment for 3 years for individuals and $2.2 million for corporations.
Beekeepers are reminded that giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under both the Biosecurity Act 2015 and the Crimes Act 1900.
Privacy
Information (which may include personal information) is collected by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (part of the Department of Regional NSW) in relation to its functions under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
You are required to provide this information if you are proposing to move hives in accordance with the group permit.
The Department of Regional NSW may use and disclose this information as reasonably necessary for the purpose of performing biosecurity risk functions under, or reasonably contemplated by, the Biosecurity Act 2015.
If you would like to gain access to, or amend your personal information, or require more details about privacy please contact us at gipa@regional.nsw.gov.au
