MEMBER for Mildura Ali Cupper has praised Agriculture Victoria’s responsiveness to the threat of varroa mite in Sunraysia.
“August is a significant pollination time for almonds, so taking immediate steps to protect apiarists and the Victorian almond industry has been absolutely necessary,” she said.
To date, varroa mite has been detected in 42 premises in NSW.
A permit scheme has been introduced to limit the transport of bees, hives, used bee keeping equipment and bee products into and across Sunraysia.
“Given how pressing the almond pollination season is, our biosecurity teams are under huge pressure to make sure enough bees are in the region, and that they’re all varroa mite free,” Ms Cupper said.
“I’ve asked the department to make sure that the permit process is both thorough, and as streamlined and efficient as possible, and I’ve been reassured those applications are straightforward, and are being processed within 24 hours, even on weekends.”
A varroa mite control centre has also been established in Irymple to give the industry confidence.
“Bringing over 40 authorised officers here should give our almond industry and apiarists reassurance that the government is taking this issue seriously,” Ms Cupper said.
“These experts will be assessing permits, overseeing almond pollination events, and will be routinely inspecting sentinel hives on the border to keep an eye out for any potential incursions.
“We need to maintain Sunraysia’s biosecurity while keeping our horticulture industries viable, and that can only happen if the rules are followed, and we remain up to the challenge.”

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