More beekeepers are preparing to have their hives destroyed after new detections of varroa mite were found at multiple sites across New South Wales, as authorities also consider a plan to poison feral bee populations.
Three new biosecurity zones have been set up after the deadly parasite was detected on properties at Bulahdelah, on the Mid North Coast, and Seaham and Newcastle, in the Hunter region, on Tuesday.
The detections are directly linked to a previously identified property near the Port of Newcastle.
Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders said 600 hives had been destroyed so far, with most containing between 10,000 to 30,000 bees each.
"And that number will grow. We now have eight affected premises and those eradication orders will continue over the next few days," he said.
"We're also looking at a release of chemical in certain parts of those eradication zones which will help nullify some of the feral populations that we know exist."
Mr Saunders said the bees are euthanased with gas or petrol, before the hives are burnt.
NSW DPI deputy director of biosecurity, John Tracey, is confident the parasite can be eradicated.
"We've got good support from industry and communities, so we're confident that we're going to achieve eradication and that's the goal," he said.
'Sacrifice' for 'greater good'
Bulahdelah resident Gary Haynes says the destruction of his hives would be the end of his 50 years as a beekeeper.
"You've been in it 50 years and then they come along and say we've got to burn them all," he said.
"I used to have 600 hives, but I'm retired and I've only a few here in the yard now."
Mr Haynes said the loss of the hives would impact the community.
"Tourists it affects, income to the shops, the tourist information centre and people that sell honey that I produce, and other beekeepers in the area," he said.
Amateur Beekeepers Australia Manning Valley branch secretary Vicki Grace has hives in the in the surveillance zone around Bulahdelah and said the latest detection would be "devastating" for local apiarists.
"But we understand it's for the greater good, it's better to sacrifice some so that the majority are safe" she said.
SA border restrictions
Meanwhile, South Australia's Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has announced restrictions on "bees, hives and associated beekeeping products and beekeeping property coming into SA from NSW, or any state or territory within which the varroa mite has been detected".
"These items cannot be brought into SA without written permission of the Chief Inspector of Stock," PIRSA said in a statement.
"As the varroa mite has only been detected in NSW to date, the restrictions do not currently apply to any other state or territory except NSW.
"It also applies to any of the above products that have been in NSW since 1 April 2022 but may be seeking to enter SA from another state."
The department said the safeguards would be subject to change in the event of detections in other parts of the country.
Risk of 'major' impact
NSW Farmers Association biosecurity committee member Ian McColl said the new detections were a major concern.
"These latest discoveries mean that we've got, potentially, a widespread issue and we need to be extremely vigilant about how we're dealing with the disease," he said.
"The next few days will really tell whether we're perhaps able to hopefully control this or how widespread the actual situation is."
Mr McColl said the development could mean the restrictions on the movement of beehives may stay in place for longer than anticipated.
"We've got canola coming on in the next couple of months, we've got horticulture that needs bees, so the potential impact on our food production is major," he said.
Some apiarists have expressed a desire to destroy their own hives rather than wait for the Department of Primary Industries to get to them, but Mr Saunders said all beekeepers should leave it to the experts as the
"First step is to call the DPI hotline number," he said.
"You don't need to start doing things yourself — we don't want you to go destroying your own hives."
Mr Saunders said the mites could easily be mistaken for other pests.
