Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Standing Committee for Agriculture and Water Resources, I present the committee's report entitled Safekeeping: inquiry into the biosecurity of Australian honey beestogether with minutes of proceedings.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

Honey bees provide critical environmental and economic benefits to Australia, particularly to the agricultural industry.

The economic value of honey and other hive products produced by managed honey bees in Australia is estimated at $100 million per year, but the pollination services they provide to the agricultural industry are estimated to be worth $4 billion per year.

However, the honey bee industry is facing increasing threat from invasive pests and diseases arriving into Australia from overseas. Historically, Australia's physical isolation has enabled it to remain free of many pests and diseases. With growing trade links and international travel, the risk of pests and diseases has increased. The Australian honey bee industry is not immune to these risks and faces a range of biosecurity threats.

In view of this, the committee conducted a roundtable to understand the biosecurity threats facing the Australian beekeeping industry, and assess government risk management and response strategies. The roundtable was attended by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, CSIRO, the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council and Plant Health Australia.

The committee found that the varroa mites are of particular threat to honey bees and have spread to every beekeeping country in the world except Australia. An infestation of varroa mites, particularly Varroa destructor, can have catastrophic consequences on honey bees, culminating in colony breakdown and collapse of hives. The committee praises the collaborative approach being undertaken against the threat of varroa mites.

However, the committee found that, while Australian biosecurity controls have so far been successful, there are ongoing risks. It is essential that early detection and response capabilities be increased to prevent a potentially devastating impact on the Australian economy. Therefore, the committee makes six recommendations aimed at improving early threat detection and response strategies.

The National Bee Pest Surveillance Program is considered to be the first line of defence against bee pests and diseases arriving into Australia. The program operates at key entry points around the country and provides a risk-based early warning system for the entry of bee pests and pest bees. The initial program, Model 1, was established in 2013, and at an annual cost of approximately $669,000. It allowed for the coverage of 39 ports, 167 sentinel hives, 129 standard catch boxes, 20 remote catch boxes and 11 floral sweeping locations.

Model 1 was superseded by the Model 2 program in December last year, at an annual cost of approximately $920,000, and will continue until 2021. Model 2 sees a substantial increase in efforts to monitor the entry of pest bees, covering 14 high-risk ports. These ports account for 95 per cent of the total trade imports into Australia.

However, the proposed Model 3 program would see a significant increase in effective coverage across the country. It would effectively double the funding for the program and substantially increase port coverage from 32 to 54. The number of sentinel hives would increase from 174 to 278. The number of standard catch boxes would be slightly reduced; however, the number of remote catch boxes would be increased considerably from 40 to 210. The Asian honey bee catch boxes would increase by 30 per cent, and floral sweeping efforts would be doubled. The annual cost would be approximately $1.9 million. The cost is comparatively small, given its protection of a $100 million beekeeping industry and the pollination services provided to a $4 billion agricultural industry. The value of this cannot be underestimated. Therefore, the committee recommends that the proposed Model 3 program be implemented by 30 June 2017. The committee further recommends: investigating the use of technology to greater enable public involvement in detection programs; analysing pest bee risk ratings at all Australian ports; commencing an analysis of bee smuggling into Australia; and undertaking research and development into selective breeding of honey bees for resistance against Varroa mite and diseases.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to thank all who have contributed their valuable time and wisdom to this inquiry. My special thanks go to committee secretary Dr Anna Dacre, inquiry secretary Anthony Overs and researcher Peter Pullen. Their professionalism and attention to detail are highly valued by myself and, I know, the deputy chair, who is here today. Their work provides great assistance to me as the chair and to all committee members. Thank you.

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