NSW Department of Primary Industries

Plain English guide for Varroa mite Emergency Order

Moving bees

QuestionEradication Zone (Red)Surveillance Zone (Purple)General Zone (Blue) –
Registered commercial Beekeeper		General Zone (Blue) –
Registered recreational beekeeper

I am a registered beekeeper.  Can I move my bees?

Clause 11(1)43, Clause 41, Clause 46

No

You can move a hive that has had contact with bees for limited reasons, including:

  • for the purpose of destruction as directed by an authorised officer
  • to split the hive within the same property, apiary site and apiary range.

The hive must remain within the Purple zone.

It may be possible to apply for a Movement Permit to move your bees and hives for other reasons. Call the Hotline on 1800 084 881 to discuss.

Yes, if your bees have not been:

  • in the eradication zone after 30 April 2022 (Narrabri),
  • in the eradication zone after 1 January 2022 (Coffs Harbour);  or
  • in the eradication or surveillance zone within 24 months before the movement.

You may only move the bees to another location in the general zone.

You must

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department PRIOR to any movement.

The hives must be transported in a bee-proof manner, and should not transit through a Red or Purple zone.

Can I move bees to undertake surveillance by:

  • Sugar shake,
  • Brood uncapping,
  • Ethanol washing?

(Clause 11(2))

Yes, but:

  • Only within a single property, apiary site or apiary range.
  • Must remain within the same zone.
Can  I move my hive when splitting?NoYes, within a single property.

Can  I move bees within my property for the purposes of disposal or destruction?

(clause 11(3)

Yes, if directed to by an authorised officer.

Can I allow someone to move bees onto my property?

(clause 11(8), clause 46(6))

No

Yes if the person has applied for and been granted a Movement Permit.

Yes, if the person is moving the bees from another location in the general zone, and the person has:

  • completed the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department.

Moving hives

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

I am a registered beekeeper.  Can I move my hives that have had contact with bees? (clause 43)

No

No

Yes, if your hives have not been in the eradication zone:

  • after 30 April 2022 (Narrabri),
  • after 1 January 2022 (Coffs Harbour) or
  • within 24 months before the movement (rest of   Eradication Zone).

You may only move the bees to another location in the general zone.

You must

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department.

The emergency order imposes other requirements for transport and record keeping.

Can I move a new hive, that has never had contact with bees? (clause 8)

Yes

Can I move a hive within my property for the purposes of disposal or destruction?

(clause 10(6))

Yes, if directed to do so by an authorised officer.

Can I move my hive when splitting it?

(Clause 38, 44)

No

Yes, but you can only move your hive within a single property, apiary site and apiary range when splitting.

Yes.

The emergency order imposes other requirements for transport and alcohol washing.

Can I move hives so that they can be irradiated? (cl 14)

Yes, if:

  • the hive has had no contact with bees for 21 days before it is moved.  This will be 21 days after any hive contents have been removed and the hive cleaned, and
  • the hive is double bagged and wrapped so that   it is bee-proof and it remains in that state until it reaches the treatment facility.

Before transporting the hive, you must clean any apiary equipment that had contact with the hive or its contents.  The apiary equipment must remain in the zone in which the hive was located.

Once my hive has been irradiated, can I move it? (clause 8)

Yes, but only if it has not had contact with bees since the treatment was carried out.

I have hives in other states. Can I transit through NSW  (clause 46) or permanently move hives to NSW? (clause 47)

No

No

Yes, you can move hives into NSW or transit through NSW.  If you move hives into NSW, you must:

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department.

The emergency order imposes other requirements for transport and record keeping.

You may only transit through the General zone.

This does not apply if any hive was in:

  • Narrabri after 30 April 2022,
  • Coffs Harbour after 1 January 2022 or
  • 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. There are also other requirements to keep records.
No. Call 1800 084 881

Can I allow a beekeeper to move hives onto my property? (clause 44)

No

No

Yes, if the person has:

  • completed the Tocal training,
  • complete an alcohol wash of the hive, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department.
Can I move queen bees? (clause 11(4), clause 42, clause 46, clause 47, clause 51)No Yes, within a single premises.

Yes, if your bees have not been in the:

  • eradication zone after 30 April 2022 (Narrabri),
  • eradication zone after 1 January 2022 (Coffs Harbour) or
  • eradication zone or surveillance zone within 24 months before the movement.

You may only move the bees to a location in the general zone.

You must

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department PRIOR to any movement.

The hives must be transported in a bee-proof manner, and should not transit through a Red or Purple zone.

Additionally you may move a queen and her escorts from the Blue to the Purple zone.

I have hives in other states. Can I transit through NSW? (clause 46)NoNo

Yes, you can move hives into NSW or transit through NSW.  If you move hives into NSW, you must:

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department.

The hives must be transported in a bee-proof manner, and should not transit through a Red or Purple zone.

You may only transit through the General zone.

This does not apply if any hive was in:

  • Narrabri after 30 April 2022,
  • Coffs Harbour after 1 January 2022 or
  • 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. There are also other requirements to keep records.
No
I have hives in other states. Can I move hives into NSW? (clause 50, clause 46)NoNo

Yes, if your bees have not been in the:

  • eradication zone after 30 April 2022 (Narrabri),
  • eradication zone after 1 January 2022 (Coffs Harbour) or
  • eradication zone or surveillance zone within 24 months before the movement.

You may only move the bees to a location in the general zone.

You must

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department PRIOR to any movement.

The hives must be transported in a bee-proof manner, and should not transit through a Red or Purple zone.

Moving hives without bees

Question Eradication Zone (Red) Surveillance Zone (Purple) General Zone (Blue) - Registered Commercial Beekeepers General Zone (Blue) - Registered Recreational Beekeepers

I am a registered beekeeper.  Can I move my hives that have had contact with bees?

(Clause 46)

 No

Yes, you can move a hive that has had contact with bees for limited reasons, including:

  • for the purpose of destruction as directed by an authorised officer

The hive must remain within the Purple zone.

It may be possible to apply for a Movement Permit to move your bees and hives for other reasons. Call the Hotline on 1800 084 881 to discuss

Yes, if your hives have not been in the

  • eradication zone after 30 April 2022 (Narrabri),
  • eradication zone after 1 January 2022 (Coffs Harbour) or
  • eradication zone or surveillance zone within 24 months before the movement.).

You may only move hives with bees to another location in the general zone and you must

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department.

The emergency order imposes other requirements for transport and record keeping.

Can I move a new hive that has never had contact with bees? (clause 8) Yes

Can I move a hive within my property for the purposes of disposal or destruction?

(clause 10(6))

 Yes, if directed to do so by an authorised officer.
Can I move hives so that they can be irradiated? (clause 14)

Yes, if:

  • the hive has had no contact with bees for 21 days before it is moved.  This will be 21 days after any hive contents have been removed and the hive cleaned, and
  • the hive is double bagged and wrapped so that it is bee-proof and it remains in that state until it reaches the treatment facility.

Before transporting the hive, you must clean any apiary equipment that had contact with the hive or its contents.  The apiary equipment must remain in the zone in which the hive was located.

Once my hive has been irradiated, can I move it? (clause 8) Yes, but only if it has not had contact with bees since the treatment was carried out.

Can I allow a beekeeper to move hives onto my property?

(clause 11(8), 46))

 No

Yes, you can move a hive that has had contact with bees for limited reasons, including:

  • for the purpose of destruction as directed by an authorised officer

The hive must remain within the Purple zone.

It may be possible to apply for a Movement Permit to move your bees and hives for other reasons. Call the Hotline on 1800 084 881 to discuss

Yes, if the person has:

  • completed the Tocal training,
  • completed alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provided a movement declaration to the Department PRIOR to any movement.

Managing bees - Feeding

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Can I move a permitted bee feeder onto my property or apiary site/apiary range?

(clause 11(5))

Yes

Can I move a permitted bee feeder within my property or apiary site/apiary range? (clause 10(5))

Yes

Can I move a permitted bee feeder within my property for the purpose of destruction or disposal? (clause 10(6))

Yes, if directed to do so by an authorised officer.

Managing bees – swarming

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Can I take actions to prevent swarming at one of my hives? (clause 28, 45)

Yes, but only if the Department has not advised you that your property is an Infected Premises or Suspect Premises.

You may place an empty honey super on the hive to create space.

You must:

  • use an empty honey super that has been kept in an enclosed bee-proof place,
  • only transport empty honey supers to one   property at a time, and must not stop at other properties or apiary sites, and
  • leave the honey super on the hive at the property.

Yes

Can I capture a swarm of bees? (clauses 42 and 43)

Yes, a registered beekeeper may catch a swarm of bees, but only for the purposes of destroying that swarm.Yes

Yes

Can I move the swarm of bees that I have captured? (clause 18, clause 42 and 43)

Yes, if you are a registered beekeeper or a qualified pest controller.

You may:

  • move the bees to a container so that you can destroy them
  • move the container and the bees to another location to destroy the bees within the same emergency zone.

You must destroy the bees as soon as possible.

Yes, if you are a registered beekeeper you may capture and move feral bees, including a swarm, for the purpose of managing bees as a hive.

You may move the bees to another location in the General Zone (Blue) and if you:

  • have completed the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department PRIOR to any movement.
Can I keep a swarm of bees I have caught, to manage as a managed hive? (clauses 42 & 43)NoYes

Feral bees

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Can I interfere with or move feral bees? (clause 16, 42, 43)

Yes, if you are a registered beekeeper or a qualified pest controller.

You may:

  • move the bees to a container so that you can destroy them.
  • move the container and the bees to another location to destroy the bees within the same emergency zone

You must destroy the bees as soon as possible.

Yes, if you are a registered beekeeper you may capture and move feral bees, including a swarm, for the purpose of managing bees as a hive.

You may move the bees to another location in the General Zone (Blue) and if you:

  • have completed the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements, and
  • provide a movement declaration to the Department PRIOR to any movement.
Do I have an obligation to advise the Department if I see a colony of feral bees? ((clause 18 (2) &(3), clause 34 (2) & (3))

Yes, if the feral bees are at your property.

Yes, if you see the colony of feral bees when undertaking work in your professional capacity.

Notifications can be made:

  1. by telephone, to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881, or
  1. by electronic transmission, using a form at the location https://nswfoodauthority-dpi-online-forms.app.oneblink.io/forms/12288.
No

Queen bees

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Can I raise queen bees and queen cells and move those bees with escort bees? (clause 42, clause 47)

No

Yes, but you can only move a queen bee and her escorts and queen cells within the same premises.

You can move a queen bee and her escorts within General Zone.

You can move a queen bee and her escorts from the General Zone into the Surveillance zone.

Before you move a queen bee and escort bees or a queen cell you must:

  • complete the Tocal training,
  • complete alcohol washing requirements.

You must also keep movement records.

  • You cannot move a queen bee and her escorts into the general zone from the surveillance or eradication zones.

Can I import a queen bee or queen cell into NSW from another State or Territory? (clause 51)

No

Yes, as long as:

  • the queen bee and the escort bees must be transported securely
  • you keep records of the movement and keep those records for 5 years.

Managing hives

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Can I move tamper with a hive or disturb or interfere with bees in the hive? (clause 24)

Only as set out in this table.

Yes

Can I tamper with a hive or disturb bees if directed by an authorised officer? (clause 25)

Yes

Can I tamper with a hive or disturb bees to carry out surveillance? (clause 26)

Yes

Can I tamper with a hive or disturb bees if the hive is queenless? (clause 30)

Yes, but only once and you cannot tamper with the hive again.

You may only:

  • seal the entrance to the hive,
  • euthanise the bees in the hive with petrol, and
  • wrap the hive so that it is bee-proof and keep it wrapped for 21 days.

Yes

Can I tamper with a deadout hive? (clause 31)

Yes, but only once and you cannot tamper with the hive again unless directed to do so by an authorised officer.

You may only:

  • seal the entrance to the hive, and
  • wrap the hive so that it is bee-proof and keep   it wrapped for 21 days.

Yes

Can I tamper with a hive and interfere with bees to manage American Foulbrood or Small Hive Beetle? (clause 32)

Yes, but only once and you cannot tamper with the hive again.

You may:

  • seal the entrance to the hive,
  • euthanise the bees in the hive with petrol,   and
  • wrap the hive so that it is bee-proof and keep   it wrapped for 21 days.

Yes

Honey supers and extracting honey

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Can I extract honey from my hives?

Yes, but only as set out in this table.

Yes

Can I remove the honey super from a hive and move the honey super so that I can extract the honey? (clause 27, clause 29, clause 37)

Yes, but:

  • only within the Eradication zone, and
  • You must not move the brood box or part of the brood box.

You must

  • move the honey super to an enclosed bee-proof space.
  • transport the honey supers in a bee-proof and biosecure manner and decontaminate any vehicle used for transport and any   apiary equipment used for the extraction.

Any hive material removed during decontamination of the vehicle must be stored for 21 days in disposable garbage bags and then disposed of.

After you have finished extracting honey, you can directly return the honey super to the hive it came from.

OR

You may store the honey supers in a bee-proof manner for 21 days or stored in cold storage at -15 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, then these empty supers can be moved anywhere within the Eradication Zone.

Yes, but only to a destination in the Surveillance zone for the purpose of honey extraction.

You must ensure the honey super is empty of bees and wrapped in a bee-proof manner that also ensure apiary products do not leak out.

You must transport the honey supers in a bee-proof and secure manner and decontaminate any vehicle used for transport and any apiary equipment used for the extraction. Any hive material removed during decontamination of the vehicle must be stored for 21 days in disposable garbage bags and then disposed of.

After you have finished extracting honey, you can directly return the honey super to the hive it came from (within the surveillance zone)

OR

You may store the honey supers in a bee-proof manner for 21 days or stored in cold storage at -15 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, then move the empty super anywhere within the Surveillance Zone or to a property, apiary site or apiary range in the General zone.

Yes

Can I remove honey from a flow hive? (clause 27 (2))

Yes.

The honey extracted from a flow hive must never be exposed to bees.

Can I move an empty honey super? (clause 27 and 37)

Yes, you can move an empty honey super within the Emergency Zone

To be an empty honey super, the super must be:

  • empty of bees at any life stage and any debris and hive material,
  • stored in an enclosed, bee-proof space for 21 days or stored in cold storage at -15 degrees Celsius for 72 hours, and
  • not have had subsequent contact with bees.

After transporting the empty super you must

decontaminate any vehicle used for transport. Any hive material and debris must be stored for 21 days in disposable garbage bags and then disposed of.

After 21 days, you may dispose of the garbage bag at a waste management facility or in a way that ensures that its contents do not come into contact with bees.

Yes, you can move an empty honey (as defined) super:

  • within the Surveillance zone

or

  • into the General zone for the purpose of transporting between properties, apiary sites and apiary ranges

You can then place the empty honey super on any hive.

Before moving an empty honey super you must ensure it is wrapped in a bee-proof manner.

After transporting the empty super you must

decontaminate any vehicle used for transport. Any hive material and debris removed during decontamination of the vehicle must be stored for 21 days in disposable garbage bags and then disposed of.

Yes

Apiary equipment

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Can I move apiary equipment? (clause 19 and 37)

You can only move apiary equipment into or within the Eradication zone – including on your property - to undertake a surveillance action in the Eradication zone.

You must not move apiary equipment out of the Eradication zone.

Yes, as long as it remains within the Surveillance zone

You can only move apiary equipment into or out of the Surveillance zone if you need that equipment to undertake surveillance.

Yes

Notification and testing

Question

Eradication Zone (Red)

Surveillance Zone (Purple)

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered commercial Beekeeper

General Zone (Blue) –

Registered recreational Beekeeper

Am I required to notify the Department if I think I have Varroa Mite in my bees?

(Section 30, Biosecurity Act 2015)

Yes

Am I required to conduct alcohol washing on my bees? (clause 13)

Yes

You must conduct an alcohol wash on the bees in your hives at least once every 16 weeks and notify the Department of the results at http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/alcohol-wash.

If you have hives at more than one site, you must meet the alcohol washing requirement  at each of those sites.

The number of hives you must alcohol wash depends on the number of hives you have at each site:

  • Less than 26 hives at a site – alcohol wash all hives at that site.
  • More than 26 hives at a site o – wash 26 of your hives at that site.

Am I required to advise the Department of the location of my bees? (clause 18(1), clause 36(1))

Yes

No

Do I have an obligation to advise the Department if I see a colony of feral bees? ((clause 18, clause 36)

Yes, if the feral bees are at your property.

Yes, if you see the colony of feral bees when undertaking work in your professional capacity.

No

Can I remove or interfere with any testing material or equipment placed in a hive by an authorised officer as part of surveillance for Varroa mite (clause 11)

No

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au