Bees at risk from imported honey

The announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) of a recent discovery of P.alvei in a New Zealand bee reinforces the importance of not resuming honey imports from Australia.

“Any attempt to re-activate Australian honey imports could have dire consequences for our bee industry, underpinning billions of dollars of agricultural exports,” says Bob Douglas, Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group manager.

“On one hand, Federated Farmers is pleased that while further work is undertaken on the honey import health standard, honey imports from Australia have been suspended for up to two years.

“On the other hand however, we have a Ministry, which seems hell-bent on finding a loophole to allow Australian honey imports to resume.

“The Federation wants to have complete ban on all Australian honey imports until MAF, who are leading the investigation, reports back more information on the organism and how it got here. P.alvei seemingly originated from Australia.

“Bees are an essential part of New Zealand’s $24.5 billion agricultural sector and our ecosystem. It only takes one biosecurity invasion like P. alvei to potentially turn New Zealand’s economy upside down.

“The simple fact is that we cannot afford another incursion in our bee industry. The outbreak of the Varroa mite in New Zealand has directly cost New Zealand more than $20 million.

“New Zealand’s biosecurity record is far from pristine. We have so far failed to stop the painted apple moth and subterranean termites among many others from entering the country. Biosecurity outbreaks to date have cost New Zealand taxpayers about $100 million.

“Put simply, Australian honey must not be allowed into New Zealand until the risks of P. alvei to New Zealand are fully established,” Mr Douglas concluded.