Dear Members,

As we believe you will all be aware by now, The Varroa mite was detected in observation hives in NSW, at the Port of Newcastle.

Work is continuing to eradicate this incursion.

PIRSA has provided the following information in relation to varroa and South Australia’s current response. http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/varroa. Additionally in this document. 

Further, PIRSA advised us that the Livestock Act was updated last night, restricting the movements of bees, hives and apiary products, into SA from NSW - closing the border. (Linked, page 2).

Below is the latest update from AHBIC, (Australian Honey Bee Industry Council). AHBIC is still believing they can eradicate this incursion.

Beekeepers in NSW May not touch their hives unless it is to perform a test for mites.

Please re the information on PIRSA’s site and note the contacts for reporting of Varroa.

Please contact PIRSA or the BSSA if you have any questions.