Nelson Varroa bee mite incursion - Update #12

15 August 2006

Biosecurity New Zealand is starting its comprehensive movement control and management programme to slow the spread of varroa in the South Island this week, policy manager Paul Bolger said today

The government has allocated $3.2 million to be spent over the next four years on a management programme to slow the spread of the varroa mite within the South Island and limit its impacts.

“We will start a programme of repeat treatment of all infected hives in the controlled area. This strategy underpins the movement control plan that was presented to Government. We will also carry out a search and destroy programme on all feral hives in the infested area.

Later this week we will put out the draft movement control and containment programme to beekeepers for their comment. Biosecurity New Zealand will work beekeepers to establish the best movement control lines to minimise the spread as much a s feasible while minimising the disruption to beekeeping operations.

“We have been pleased with the working relationship we have with the beekeeping and related industries to date and wish that to continue as any attempts to limit the spread of varroa will only be achieved with the full co-operation of all parties.” Mr Hayes said.

Biosecurity New Zealand launched an immediate response after a national surveillance programme for the varroa bee mite confirmed the presence of varroa at two sites near Stoke in the Nelson region on Friday 16 June 2006.

Varroa is an unwanted organism that kills bees. It was first detected in 2000 in Auckland. By the time it was detected, it had spread too far for eradication to be feasible. Instead, the government put in place a programme to slow its spread in the North Island and to try and keep the South Island free of this pest.

A controlled area declaration under section 131 (2) of the Biosecurity Act 1993 has been declared on the following Territorial Authorities: Bullet, Marlborough, Tasman Districts and the Nelson City. Movement of all honey bees and related beekeeping materials and products and equipment will require a permit. Permits can be obtained by calling 0800 80 99 66.

Media contact: Tina Nixon, Senior Communications Adviser, Biosecurity New Zealand, 0-27-223 2789.

To report a suspected exotic pest or disease, call the Emergency Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.