Eradication of bee-killing varroa mite ‘no longer possible’, government admits

The federal government has admitted Australia will have to learn with the deadly varroa parasite and find ways to manage its spread.

A deadly varroa mite on the back of a honey bee.

Eradication of the bee-killing varroa mite is no longer feasible, the federal government has admitted, and the country will need to learn to live with the invasive pest.

The decision of the National Management Group, which met on Tuesday, has heralded a new phase of dealing with varroa mite, which was first detected near the port of Newcastle in June last year.

Since the pest’s arrival, the NSW government had been adamant its spread could be controlled and the mites eradicated, but after recent outbreaks, the federal government has conceded the situation is uncontrollable.

The government spent more than $100m and destroyed some 30,000 hives under its eradication program. It will now focus on helping the beekeeping industry, which is relied on for pollination of crops, to manage the mite.

“The National Management Group (NMG) confirmed at its meeting on 19 September, 2023, that eradication of Varroa destructor (varroa mite) is no longer feasible based on technical grounds, following advice from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests, and has now entered a transition to management phase,” a group communique said.

NSW will focus on slowing the spread of the mite while the CCEPP develops a response plan.

“Varroa mite remains a key threat to Australia’s honey and honey bee pollination plant industries, and it is important government and industry continue to work together to manage this pest,” the communique said.

“The NMG will meet in coming weeks to consider further technical advice from the CCEPP on options for the ongoing management of varroa mite in Australia.”

Varroa mites kill bees by eating their body tissue and they can also spread diseases. The mites do not affect native bees.

Crop Pollination Association of Australia president Steve Fuller said beekeepers could learn to live with the mite like most other countries had done.

“Everywhere in the world lives with the mite and it’s going to be up to every individual beekeeper on how they manage their bees,” he said.

“It’s totally doable, but what we don’t want is for it to get to plague proportions, because that can be really damaging. We had to have a good go at it (eradication) and we did, but I’m glad now they’ve come to their senses and we’re moving to management.

Mr Fuller said it could lead to a higher cost for beekeeping ser­vices, estimated to be as much as 30 per cent, which would eventually be passed on to consumers.

“The added costs on the beekeepers is going to be passed on so you may see a slight increase in the cost of foods that need to be pollinated,” he said.

It is estimated that about 95 per cent of Australia’s wild population of European honey bees will be killed by the mites as they spread.

University of Sydney honey bee geneticist Emily Remnant said there would be an initial period of volatility as varroa mites established themselves in the country and called for a co-ordinated and sustained management strategy.

“Over the next few years we will experience significant colony losses in our managed and feral bee populations as the industry transitions to management,” Dr Remnant said.

NSW DPI deputy director general biosecurity and food safety John Tracey said hive movements in NSW would be restricted while the national management plan was formed.

Hives caught up in eradication zones would be offered a reprieve.

“Beekeepers in all emergency eradication zones will have the option of voluntary euthanasia of hives and subsequent access to owner reimbursement compensation payments if they meet certain conditions,” Dr Tracey said.