As of 19 September 2023, the National Management Group (NMG) as peak decision body for the National Varroa mite Emergency Response have reached a decision to shift the focus of the response from eradication to transitioning to management of Varroa Mite.
This transition to the new focus will take time and we will continue to update the information on these pages as the plan progresses.
We value the sacrifice of every beekeeper and thank everyone for their cooperation during the Varroa mite response and this evolving situation.
The current Emergency Order outlines what a beekeeper is permitted to do in the Suppression and Management emergency zones.
From June 2022, industry and government have worked closely in partnership to attempt to eradicate Varroa mite.
As of 19 September 2023, the National Management Group (made up of all states, the Commonwealth and 16 industry partners) have now decided that eradication is no longer technically feasible and have unanimously decided to move from an eradication program to a management approach.
The mite is still contained to NSW, and the response to date has enabled a detailed understanding of the spread and risk of new detections.
The NSW Government will work with all the national stakeholders and reallocate resources to slowing the spread of the pest and providing management options to help minimise its impact.
The NMG considered the following major factors for why eradication has not reached its desired objectives:
When Varroa mite was first detected in sentinel hives in June 2022, the infestation was assessed as being technically feasible to eradicate, and so an eradication response commenced.
The NMG agreed the most appropriate course of action was to first undertake to eradicate Varroa mite because of the impacts it could potentially have on primary industries in NSW and across Australia.
The NMG considered learnings from across the world in deciding on the response in Australia.
Work has commenced on a National Management Plan for Transition to Management. This will be presented to the National Management Group for agreement.
The plan will include establishing programs to slow the spread, management solutions for mites in hives, building industry resilience by enhancing bee biosecurity and continuing to support pollination services.
In the meantime, NSW will operate under an interim strategy, which has been published in a new Control Order.
The whole state is either in a Suppression Zone or Management Zone. The only Management Zones will be in the Kempsey, Hunter and Central Coast regions (i.e. the former Emergency Eradication Zones in these regions).
The rest of the state (including regional outlier Emergency Eradication Zones such as those in Gumble, Cuttabri, Somerton, Harparary, Coffs region, pollination zones in the south, Taree and Barcoongere) are in the Suppression Zone.
In Management Zones:
Beekeepers in all current Red Zones (areas declared Red Zones up until 20 September 2023) are allowed the option of voluntary euthanasia of hives and subsequent access to Owner Reimbursement Costs.
In Suppression Zones:
Statewide conditions:
Beekeepers in all current Emergency Eradication Zones are allowed the option of voluntary euthanasia and subsequent access to Owner Reimbursement Payments. This will be an opt in process by which beekeepers must contact NSW DPI to register. This option will only be available for a limited time.
As part of the interim strategy, outlined in the Emergency Order, mandatory euthanising of hives will immediately cease.
Beekeepers with hives in the former Emergency Eradication (Red) Zone, can still choose to have their hives euthanised and access reimbursement.
The Wild European Honeybee Management Program will cease immediately.
NSW DPI compliance team has been working with industry and NSW Police to ensure compliance in movements of hives since the beginning of the response.
There are currently 30 open investigations of illegal activity, and 21 penalty notices have been issued.
Through the response, more than 600 high risk beekeepers have been identified, investigated and interviewed, with 108 of these proceeding to high level investigations.
The emergency response team in NSW has:
Over 2000 people across 13 agencies and industry have committed over 552,000 work hours (approximately 63 years).
Nationally, $101 million has been spent so far across the response.
Beekeepers in all current Red Zones (areas declared Red Zones up until 20 September 2023) are allowed the option of voluntary euthanasia of hives and subsequent access to Owner Reimbursement Costs.
Since the Varroa mite Emergency Response shift to transition to management on 19 September 2023, the Varroa mite Emergency Order no longer contains restrictions on catching swarms in any area of NSW.
It is advised to consider if a swarm may be infested with Varroa, particularly in the areas where larger numbers of infestations have been detected, including areas now within the Management (orange) zone.
If a wild European honey bee swarm is posing a risk to public safety, call 000 immediately.
For more information on catching swarms, and finding someone to help contact the Amateur Beekeepers Association
It is mandatory for all beekeepers to register with NSW DPI. You can register at the NSW DPI website here - Beekeeper registration
All beekeepers with managed hives must notify NSW DPI of the location of their hives, by calling 1800 084 881 or by completing the Beekeeper Notifications - Varroa mite online form
Attempting to manage bees again in the Management zone straight away is too high risk given the high likelihood of your hives becoming infested with Varroa. Beekeepers are encouraged to wait until after the mass suppression event before managing bees again. More information will be available soon.
The Wild European Honey Bee Management Program has immediately ceased baiting activities. There is a plan to decommission and remove the existing feeder stations within previous red Eradication zones, however this will take time. For now, existing feeder stations contain sugar syrup only, and you may notice NSW DPI staff monitoring these stations for the purpose of observing and monitoring swarm activity in these areas.