The ACT Government has updated its mandatory restrictions on the movement of honey bees, hives and apiary equipment into the ACT to allow the importation of queen bees and their escorts from NSW if certain conditions are met.
The ACT Government has listened to local beekeepers' concerns around the need to requeen their colonies and updated the mandatory restrictions while we transition to living with Varroa.
The update on restrictions follows the national decision to transition from the eradication to the management of Varroa destructor (Varroa mite).
Movement restrictions will continue to be applied under the Animal Diseases Act 2005 to European honey bees, beehives and apiary equipment that have been in areas in NSW where Varroa mite has been detected or is being managed at any time since December 2021.
Provided beekeepers satisfy the mandatory import conditions, queen bees, escort bees, queen cells, honey supers and apiary equipment can be imported into the ACT from areas in NSW where Varroa mite has not been detected.
Imports of queen bees will enable beekeepers to increase productivity and overall hive health, and reduce hive aggression, without increasing biosecurity risk to unacceptable levels.
The updated restrictions will also allow irradiated hives and hive components that satisfy the mandatory import conditions to be imported into the ACT. This will enable beekeepers to sterilise hives using irradiation, helping to control other diseases that affect honey bees like American Foulbrood in the ACT.
These restrictions will continue to be reviewed as the National Management Plan for Transition to Management for Varroa is developed and implemented by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, states and territories, and industry.
The focus is now on slowing the spread of Varroa mite nationally and preparing industry to live with the pest by building resilience and providing management options.
The ACT Government continues to work closely with our colleagues at the NSW Department of Primary Industries for a harmonised transition to management.
Visit the ACT Legislation Register to read about the updated ACT import restrictions. For current information about the Varroa mite incursion in NSW, visit NSW Department of Primary Industries.
Local beekeepers are encouraged to look at the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council Biosecurity Code of Practice. Specific information on varroa mites is available on Bee Aware and the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council website, including industry-endorsed better practice beekeeping management guidelines.
Beekeepers whose hives are always located in the ACT are required to register as a beekeeper with the ACT Government. Beekeeper registration is free, valid for three years and can be completed online through Access Canberra.
