The Latest Breaking News from Steve Fuller

Beekeepers called to action amid fears varroa complacency is threatening multi-billion-dollar industry

The Queensland Beekeepers' Association warns the future could be "catastrophic" for Australia's multi-billion-dollar honey industry unless all apiarists take part in a national biosecurity blitz.

ABC News · Apr 14, 2023

Varroa mite emergency zone moved, leaving beekeepers on NSW Mid North Coast frustrated

Beekeepers on the NSW Mid North Coast were on the verge of euthanasing thousands of bees before the state’s latest varroa mite emergency zone was suddenly changed.

ABC News · Feb 24, 2023

New varroa mite detections around Taree, NSW linked to illegal movement of beehives

There have been new detections of the deadly varroa mite in beehives at two locations near Taree, linked to the illegal movement of beehives.

ABC News · Feb 19, 2023

Two months, 99 infected sites and still no answers on where bee parasite varroa mite came from

It's the tiny parasite that has beekeepers on edge, threatening to rip $70 million a year from Australia's honey industry, and still many questions remain.

ABC News · Aug 22, 2022

Varroa mite controls impacts almond industry as loss of bees for pollination reduces crop value by $200 million

The removal of restrictions on beehive movements in NSW comes too late for many almond growers, but changes to varroa mite control mean good news for berries and avocados.

ABC News · Aug 17, 2022

Varroa mite threatens NSW berry production and prices after detection near Coffs Harbour

The berry growing hub of NSW's Mid North Coast has a lot of risk and reward to weigh up as the discovery of the deadly varroa mite threatens supply, prices and local jobs.

ABC News · Jul 27, 2022

Varroa mite detected on blueberry orchard near Coffs Harbour in 43rd case since outbreak began

Beekeepers on the NSW Mid North Coast say they are angry at the lack of communication from authorities after varroa mite is found in a new zone.

ABC News · Jul 25, 2022

As the fight against varroa mite ramps up, researchers hope to develop honey bee-safe pesticide to control it

Scientists are hoping to develop a world-first pesticide that would be safe for honey bees while destroying the deadly varroa mite.

ABC News · Jul 25, 2022

Beekeepers back to making honey following ban, new varroa mite sites emerge

After enduring a ban of nearly three weeks due to the varroa mite outbreak, NSW apiarists outside of emergency zones can resume making honey.

ABC News · Jul 11, 2022

Beekeepers now face cane toad invasion in wake of Northern Rivers floods

Cane toads are invading damaged sites across the NSW Northern Rivers in search of the destructive small hive beetle, which also poses a massive biosecurity threat to bee colonies.

ABC News · Apr 22, 2022