Bees Decision A Disgrace

Biosecurity New Zealand’s decision to abandon attempts to eliminate varroa from the South Island is a disgrace, said Andrew Gillanders of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

“Beekeepers kept their promise to move the managed hives to the North Island, only to be let down by Biosecurity NZ’s failure to poison the feral bee population,” Mr Gillanders said.

“The eventual spread of varroa would decimate the population of feral pollinating bees, severely hurting the South Island's annual $55 million vegetable seed and white-clover seed exports. The pastoral and arable industries would also suffer.

“Farmers are trying to reduce the amount of nitrogen they apply on paddocks, to reduce nutrient leeching into waterways. But fewer bees would lead to lost nitrogen-fixing white clover, requiring more use of artificial nitrogen. The base of New Zealand’s pastoral sector is its free fixing nitrogen. Will the destruction of this important natural asset be this government’s legacy?

“Biosecurity NZ failed to keep its side of the bargain and poison feral bee colonies in the infected zone around Nelson. The baiting programme was abandoned at the last hour when Biosecurity NZ realised it hadn’t got permission to poison from the patented manufacturer.

“This botch up has undermined confidence in Biosecurity NZ, which has had six years to prepare for an varroa incursion in the South Island. This department has to lift its game if it is to be successful in eradicating future incursions of weeds, pests and diseases that would affect primary production,” he said.

Mr Gillanders praised the actions of beekeepers, the New Zealand grain and seed industry, South Island regional councils, and the Nelson public in their efforts to attempt eradication.

Mr Gillanders chairs the Grains Council, the arable industry group of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

ENDS

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