Recreational and commercial beehives in a "red eradication zone"' around Coffs Harbour will be destroyed in the latest bid to contain the spread of varroa mite, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has confirmed.
The north coast area has been on alert since late July when the deadly bee parasite was detected in Nana Glen, 25 kilometres inland from Coffs Harbour, about a month after an initial detection in the Port of Newcastle.
Affected beekeepers and berry growers were invited to a Tuesday night meeting with Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders, Coffs Harbour MP Gurmesh Singh and DPI representatives to discuss the euthanasia process and ongoing industry impacts.
Orara Valley Honey owner Glenn Locke said he will lose about 100 hives on his property.
"We are annoyed that it's happening … but we are just paying the prices for a varroa-free Australia," he said.
Mr Locke said he believed the euthanasia of hives would commence from Friday and was expected to take about three weeks to complete.
"It's going to be a pretty big procedure. The RFS [Rural Fire Service] will be getting involved to assist with logistics and manpower," he said.
"It's been a rough ride, but hopefully we get to a point of some certainty shortly.
"We just have to pick ourselves up and keep going."
Seeking answers
Mr Locke said Tuesday's meeting would clarify the euthanasia process and address his concerns about his polystyrene hives, and answer questions about how to ensure they would not be damaged by the fuel used to burn the hives.
Commercial and recreational keepers are to be reimbursed set amounts for hives, bees and equipment lost in the eradication process.
"Compensation had to happen or there wouldn't have been much cooperation," Mr Locke said.
"It will sweeten the deal. It will help us out and is much appreciated.
"Sentiments are varied … but it's just something we have to get through and beekeepers need to support and look after each other."
The euthanasia process is expected to have a serious impact on the Mid North Coast berry industry, which accounted for about 80 per cent of the state's berry production.
Mr Saunders and Berries Australia declined to comment prior to meeting with beekeepers and growers.
A DPI spokesperson said it was working directly with Berries Australia to "discuss the impacts of the response and make sure they were informed how that would impact their business".
