Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice

About

This engagement has concluded.

Provide your feedback on proposed changes to support the implementation of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.

What is being decided?

To support the SA apiary industry’s adoption of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (the Code) and improve biosecurity management, some amendments to the Livestock Regulations 2013 are required.

In July 2016, the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council endorsed the Code and there have been subsequent meetings between Biosecurity SA and South Australian beekeepers to explore changes to the Livestock Regulations 2013 to support its implementation.

A Discussion Paper (PDF 137KB) has been prepared to outline proposals to manage the amendments to the legislation.

The most important/significant changes proposed are:

• Knowledge of notifiable conditions at registration.
• Pest and disease management training required (with 50 or more hives).
• Record keeping of biosecurity related actions and observations.
• Hive construction and branding.
• Hive identification code.

The objectives of the Code are to:

• Increase productivity in the Australian honey bee industry by improving the general level of pest and disease control by Australian beekeepers;
• Assist beekeepers in recognising exotic pests and diseases of bees and preparing for an exotic or emerging disease response;
• Ensure beekeepers conduct regular surveillance for the presence of notifiable exotic and endemic pests and diseases;
• Assist in the management of significant endemic diseases of bees, particularly American foulbrood;
• Facilitate the cross-border movement of bees through adoption of a single national code for biosecurity practices.

These objectives are to ensure the future viability and sustainability of the Australian honey bee industry. In South Australia, honey production contributes about $11m to the economy, while the value of pollination services has been estimated at $550 million.

How can your input influence the decision?

South Australian apiarists and the public are invited comment on the discussion paper and the proposed amendments to the Livestock Regulations 2013.

A report on what was heard and what changed as a result of community input will be prepared once online consultation and consultation with targeted stakeholders has ended. This report will be made available on this site and also on the PIRSA website.

Get involved

You can be involved in the conversation by:

• Commenting in our discussion forum.
• Attending a public consultation (dates below)
• Providing a written submission via post: The Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice Review, Biosecurity SA, GPO Box 1671, Adelaide SA 5001
• Emailing your feedback via john.kassebaum@sa.gov.au.

While specific issues are raised in this Discussion Paper, you may comment on any issue you believe is pertinent to this review. Submissions will be accepted up to 5.00pm on Monday 8 May 2017.

Public consultation meetings

*The Kingscote meeting will further discuss KI entry requirements for bees, bee products and bee property.

Want to know more?

Questions or comments about the review can be directed to John Kassebaum, Principal Policy Officer, Biosecurity SA by telephone (08 8207 7962) or email john.kassebaum@sa.gov.au.

Changes are being proposed to the Livestock Regulations 2013, to support the implementation of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice.