19 September 2000

Two-year varroa management to be finalised at meeting tomorrow

Beekeeper representatives from around the country will attend a meeting with MAF tomorrow (Wednesday 20 September) to help finalise the two-year transitional Government-supported management plan for varroa.

MAF discussed the development of the plan at 14 regional meetings throughout the country last month. These meetings were convened by MAF and the National Beekeepers Association, and attended by beekeepers and other interested industry groups.

The Ministry used the feedback from the regional meetings to assist drafting the two-year management plan.

The completed management plan will be finalised following the meeting in Wellington tomorrow. Invited representatives from NBA executive and branches, and other interested industry stakeholders and government departments will attend.

Following the meeting MAF will present the proposed two-year management plan to Cabinet for its consideration. Final decisions on this programme will be subject to available resources and be based on a cost-benefit analysis.

On 12 July 2000, Cabinet agreed to a three-stage Government response to the incursion of Varroa destructor (varroa). The first stage of this response is virtually complete. It involves immediate assisted treatment of infected hives with approved products at the Crown's expense, upon consent of the beekeeper.

Until long-term arrangements can be put in place, Cabinet has agreed to support a two-year management programme to assist the transition into long-term control. The objectives of the programme are to ensure the South Island remains varroa free for as long as possible, and that impacts in the North Island are mitigated. Cabinet has directed MAF to work with beekeepers and other interested industries to finalise an operational plan, and report back with:

• a recommended Government-supported transitional management programme;
• cost benefit analysis;
• and proposed implementation plan.

The draft programme to be discussed tomorrow is available on the MAF website at http://www.maf.govt.nz/Standards/anbio/phase_2_plan.pdf

The primary objectives of the various components that make up the two-year management plan are as follows:

Primary objective of North Island surveillance:

• monitor spread of varroa through the North Island in order to provide beekeepers with information upon which management decisions will be based.

Primary objective of North Island movement controls:

• minimise the economic impact of varroa and associated regulatory controls for beekeepers in the North Island.

Primary objective of South Island surveillance:

• conduct surveillance to verify that the South Island is free from varroa and to provide early detection of the presence of varroa in order to maximise the likelihood of a successful response.

Primary objective of South Island incursion response:

• eradication of varroa from the South Island if technically feasible and benefits outweigh costs.

Primary objective of South Island movement control:

• minimise the risk of transfer of varroa to the South Island.
• Ensure the South Island remains free of varroa for as long as realistically possible.

Primary objectives of treatments:

• beekeepers take responsibility for decisions on treatment of their apiaries to maintain hive health and productivity, in accordance with an industry-wide strategy based upon integrated pest management principles.
• a choice of treatment products with established efficacy and safety made available, including organic treatments.

Primary objective of extension services:

• develop recommendations for management of varroa by individual beekeepers using an integrated pest management approach, involving regular monitoring, treatment upon reaching established thresholds, minimal use of chemicals, rotation of treatment product families, and avoidance of residues and resistance.
• Recommendations based upon overseas experience and beekeeper consultation.

Primary objective of research:

• identify and prioritise research needs in order to undertake relevant research.

Primary objectives of administration:

• management of the transitional management plan co-ordinated by MAF in accordance with public policy processes and in consultation with stakeholders.
• MAF retains accountability to government for public funds invested in varroa management programmes.

Arrangements for the long-term management of varroa will be considered over the next two years using the framework for pest management provided by the Biosecurity Act 1993.

A programme co-ordinator has been employed within MAF to facilitate the development of a national pest management strategy (NPMS). This may or may not result in a decision to proceed with a NPMS. Developing the NPMS proposal will involve extensive industry consultation, and if the industry indicates it does not require statutory powers to manage varroa long term, then a NPMS is probably not warranted. One advantage of a NPMS, however, is that it provides an opportunity to formalise sustainable industry funding arrangements.