The Latest Breaking News from Dugald Saunders

Berry growers in the region will be left without proper pollination services for at least six months, after confirmation around 1,000 beehives will be destroyed in the coming weeks.

All recreational and commercial beehives within an eradication zone around Coffs Harbour on NSW's north coast will be destroyed in the latest bid to contain the spread of varroa mite.

Logging operations in an area of key koala habitat on the NSW Mid North Coast have sparked an escalation of tensions between concerned locals and authorities, as questions are raised about the effectiveness of environmental regulations.

Fines issued for illegal logging in state forests were due to mapping mistakes made at computers, the CEO of the NSW native timber logging corporation says.

NSW apiarists must euthanise their bees before receiving compensation payments intended to support those affected by the varroa mite outbreak.

When the threat of foot-and-mouth disease was lapping at Australia's shores, one of the key tools in the country's biosecurity arsenal came from a town in western New South Wales.

Prawns at a NSW farm have been culled and disposed of after highly contagious white spot virus was detected.

The highly contagious disease has been found on a prawn farm near Yamba and tracing is underway to determine the source of the white spot.

NSW beekeepers whose equipment, bees and honey have been destroyed to combat the varroa mite will be reimbursed but won't be able to resume operations.

The government hopes the vaccine, which would also protect against lumpy skin disease, could be developed in the state by August 1 next year.

NSW says MRNA vaccines for foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease would be a "game changer" for farmers, after announcing funding for their development.