Discovering new ways to fight varroa mite

The Albanese Government will invest $480,000 to help Agrifutures Australia investigate the feasibility of a national apiary traceability system to protect honeybees from the spread of pests and diseases, such as varroa mite.

Varroa mite is the greatest known threat to honeybees and industries reliant on pollination. A national traceability system would better monitor the movement of beehives, giving our apiarists’ the tools they need to manage the health of their bees and provide Australia’s trading partners with reassurance.

The establishment of such a system, would assist producers by protecting their market access through the enablement of efficient tracing, further increasing trust in the quality of Australian honeybee products abroad.

In September 2023, the Federal Government supported the transition to a management phase aimed at improving industry systems and combating the spread of varroa mite, eventually leading to the establishment of a National Varroa Mite Management Program.

This project complements those efforts by informing and guiding the industry on the feasibility of a national system, while aiming to be more cost-effective and compatible with current traceability systems in place across Australia’s agriculture sector.

The grant will also support innovative research, development and extension activities that align with national biosecurity objectives by promoting a cooperative and forward-thinking biosecurity approach.

Collaboration among all levels of government, industry stakeholders, researchers and biosecurity partners will form a key part of the grants initiative, as outlined in the Australian Government’s National Agricultural Traceability Strategy 2023 to 2033.  

Further information on the Australian Government’s efforts in the traceability space can be accessed here, and the National Varroa Mite Management Program here.

Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Anthony Chisholm:

“About 35 per cent of our nation's crops rely on bees for pollination, which makes varroa mite a major threat to Australia’s Ag sector.

“Our reputation is one of the key factors to our global trade success. We need to be doing all we can to protect Australia’s enviable status and this investment forms part of the Federal Government’s approach.

“Australia’s traceability systems contribute to biosecurity preparedness and surveillance for exotic pests and diseases, enabling better identification, response and recovery, while supporting our growing international trade relations.

“It’s critical that producers across Australia remain vigilant, regularly check their hives and report any abnormalities to their relevant state or territory authority to support early detection.”