Public consultation on a new draft Tasmanian Import Risk Analysis for varroa mite (Varroa destructor) and proposed import conditions for apiary products is now closed.
Go to our consultation page to learn more.
Why do we need measures to protect Tasmania's honey bees and agriculture?
Honey bees play a vital role in Tasmania's food production, agriculture and environment. They pollinate many of the crops we rely on and support industries worth millions of dollars to our state.
Varroa mite is one of the most damaging pests of honey bees worldwide. Tasmania remains free of varroa mite, and we want to keep it that way.
Following the spread of varroa mite on mainland Australia, BT has reviewed the risk of the pest reaching Tasmania. Based on this analysis, BT is proposing additional measures to help protect Tasmania's varroa-free status.
What is varroa mite?
Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is a small parasitic mite that attacks European honey bees (Apis mellifera).
It weakens bees by feeding on them and can spread diseases within colonies. If left unmanaged, varroa mite can cause significant colony losses and affect pollination services relied upon by agriculture, the environment and home gardens.
How could varroa mite enter Tasmania?
Now that varroa mite has become established on mainland Australia, there a range of possible pathways for this pest to enter Tasmania.
Pathways include through imported bee-related products, and accidental transport through freight, vessels and vehicles arriving from mainland Australia.
This increases the risk to Tasmania and makes it important to reassess whether current import controls remain appropriate.
BT is proposing measures designed to reduce the risk of varroa mite entering Tasmania to a very low level.
What does the draft analysis propose?
The draft analysis makes 5 key recommendations. In summary:
Keeping varroa mite classified as prohibited matter in Tasmania.
Maintaining and updating import requirements for products and pathways that could introduce varroa mite into Tasmania.
Reviewing import conditions every year and the risk analysis within five years.
Reviewing surveillance and inspection activities for arriving vessels, freight and vehicles.
Increasing community awareness about varroa mite and helping people to understand their biosecurity responsibilities.
What import conditions are proposed for bee products?
The proposed import conditions would:
Introduce new processing requirements for some honey and beeswax products.
Allow the import of products such as honey, beeswax, propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee venom and bee semen where they meet Tasmania's biosecurity requirements.
These measures are designed to ensure products can be imported safely while protecting Tasmania's bee industry, agriculture and environment.
Have any recommendations or import conditions been finalised?
The Import Risk Analysis and proposed import conditions are still drafts. Feedback received during consultation will help inform the final recommendations and any future decisions.
What is an Import Risk Analysis?
An Import Risk Analysis is a scientific assessment that looks at how a pest or disease could enter Tasmania, what impacts it could have, and what measures may be needed to reduce those risks. It helps ensure biosecurity decisions are based on evidence.
Why doesn't Tasmania aim for zero risk?
No biosecurity system can eliminate all risk.
Zero risk is not achievable because people, goods, freight, animals and wildlife continue to move between Tasmania and other jurisdictions.
Instead, Tasmania's biosecurity system aims to reduce risks to a very low level through science-based controls, policies, surveillance and compliance activities.
Next steps
Submissions received during the public consultation are now being reviewed.
Key themes, concerns and feedback will be published in a Consultation Summary Report.
Submissions will also be published in line with the Tasmanian Public Submissions Policy.
Who can I contact for more information?
We're here to help. Contact us by phone or email:
Phone: 1300 368 550
Email: Biosecurity.PlantHealth@nre.tas.gov.au
You can find information about bee biosecurity and requirements for beekeepers in Tasmania on our Apiary Biosecurity pages.