Letter to Beekeepers

25 July 2008

Dear Beekeepers

This letter is to advise you of changes to varroa movement control conditions in the South Island.

A new movement control line has been established in response to feedback from individual beekeepers and industry representatives. The Controlled Area notice imposed on 13 May 2008 under Section 131 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 will be revoked and replaced with the attached Controlled Area notice taking effect at 4 pm on Friday 1st August 2008.

The new movement control line, depicted as a black line, is shown on the enclosed map. The area affected by movement control is the area of the South Island contained within the black line on this map. There is also a 10 km buffer zone, shown as a hatched area along the movement control line.

The movement control conditions mean that you are unable to move things which might carry varroa into the part of the South Island outside the Controlled Area without the permission of an inspector or Authorised Person appointed under the Biosecurity Act 1993. Things which might carry varroa include bees, hives, most types of beekeeping equipment and some types of unprocessed bee products. A movement permit is not required to move these things to the North Island. Managed beehives will be excluded from the buffer zone, unless permitted.

If you need a movement permit, or are unsure if a permit is required, please call 0800 80 99 66 to request a permit application form.

MAFBNZ appreciates the assistance of the beekeeping industry during this response. For more information on this incursion response please go to www.biosecurity.govt.nz/varroa.

Yours sincerely

David Hayes
Manager, Surveillance and Incursion Response
Deputy Chief Technical Officer
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand