Bees, Apiary Products and Used Apiary Equipment
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Status for the import of bees, apiary products and used apiary equipment:
= Yes; you can bring this item to Tasmania
| = Ask for more information – you may need a permit or provide further information*
| = No; you cannot bring this item into Tasmania
|
Queen bees and escort bees may be imported provided that*:
- Queen bees and escorts have been
sourced from an apiary that has an active surveillance and management
plan in place for the control of small hive beetle (Aethina tumida); and
- All
cages used for the transportation of queen bees are to be new wooden cages constructed in a manner to ensure small hive beetle cannot gain entry; with one side of the cage covered by a mesh with holes less than 2mm x 2mm, allowing good visibility of the bees and candy within the cage.
- The
queen cages are to be inspected by the apiarist immediately prior to
loading the queen and escort bees and must be free of small hive beetle;
and
- The queen bee and escorts are to be hand caught
and inspected by the apiarist at the time they are placed in the new
queen cage and are to be free of small hive beetle; and
- Once
loaded, queen bee cages are to the stored away from bee hives, packaged
bees or used bee equipment and are to be transported separate from bee
hives, packaged bees or used bee equipment; and
- The
outer packaging of consignment of queen bees must have a statement (with
letters in 28 point font or larger on a contrasting background) indicating that the package contains "live bees"; and
- On
arrival in Tasmania the packaging and queen cages are to be inspected
for evidence of small hive beetle by an Inspector. For bees coming by
post this will be done at the Australia Post mail centre. If no small
hive beetle is detected the package will be resealed and continue
through the postal system. If small hive beetle is detected the whole
consignment will be held and either destroyed under quarantine
supervision or sealed and returned to the state of origin; and
- Tasmanian
beekeeper must inspect the queens for small hive beetle prior to
placing them in a hive. If there is any evidence of small hive beetle
the queen cages must be sealed in a plastic bag and an Inspector
notified. Bees or queen cages with evidence of small hive beetles must
not be placed in a hive.
A completed Health Certificate for the Importation of Queen European Honey Bees is required:
Health Certificate for Importation of Queen European Honey Bees (47Kb)
Bees wax importing conditions**
- Substances produced or collected by bees, other than bees wax and honey comb may be imported without restriction.
- Beeswax must have been melted and cooled.
A completed Health Certificate for the Importation of Bees Wax is required: