Crisafulli Government announces new grants to combat destructive pest
- Crisafulli Government delivers on commitment to bolster biosecurity with new fund to manage deadly varroa mite
- Grants available for innovative projects to safeguard Queensland's beekeeping industry
- Beekeeping clubs, universities, local governments and agricultural businesses encouraged to apply
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a new fund to develop creative solutions to strengthen the state's defences against the destructive pest, varroa mite (Varroa destructor) and support Queensland beekeepers.
The half a million-dollar Community Bee Innovation Fund (CBIF) will provide grants of between $5,000 to $50,000 over the next three years to unearth and support innovative projects to prepare and protect Queensland's beekeeping and pollination-reliant industries.
First detected in New South Wales in June 2022, varroa mites are tiny parasites that kill beehives and are the biggest pest to honeybees worldwide.
Varroa mites are not found in Queensland but have recently been detected in the NSW border town of Boggabilla.
The grants will fully fund projects that either:
- Deliver innovative varroa mite education and training, or
- Develop innovative varroa mite management tools.
Innovations can involve creating entirely new solutions or applying existing tools in novel ways to combat the threat of varroa mite.
Beekeeping clubs and groups, universities, local governments, industry bodies and agricultural businesses are encouraged to apply.
Beekeepers contribute an estimated $75 million annually in honey production and a staggering $2.4 billion in pollination value to Queensland's economy.
While Labor left the state's biosecurity backdoor open, the Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland by bolstering biosecurity, ensuring our beekeeping industry is prepared and protected.
The Crisafulli Government is also delivering 100 new biosecurity officers over the next 4 years to beef up biosecurity for primary industries.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said strong and responsive biosecurity is critical to the ongoing success of Queensland's agricultural industries.
"This project empowers beekeepers, researchers and industry groups to develop creative solutions that strengthen our defences against varroa mite," Minister Perrett said.
"It's one of the many projects Queensland is working on to protect the sustainability of our beekeeping and pollination industries, which are crucial to our food security and economy."
Round 1 of the grant program has opened, with applications closing at 5pm AEST on 24 March 2025.
