There is an alarming buzz about the Asian honey bee spreading from North Queensland but government is not heeding the crisis. It has been likened to a flying cane toad given its capacity for migratory swarming but at the end of this month, funds for an eradication program to stop the spread of the Asian honey bee from North Queensland are set to be axed.
Local honey producers are calling on the community to add some sting to their campaign to get Government action against the threat.
Since it first arrived in Cairns in 2007, Queensland Biosecurity has been managing the risk. But with no further funds – the days of controlled action against the pest are numbered.
This predator of the European honey bee could effectively wipe out the Australian honey industry and by consequence, significantly impact on food production in this country. They rob honey from managed hives, causing them to die from starvation. They are also a natural host for varroa mites, a major invasive threat to the industry and also carry other unwanted bee pests and diseases.
The United States has already banned Australian honey because of the import risks. But, despite the biosecurity concerns, parliamentary protests are not getting a hearing.
Tenterfield bee keeper Gary Lucas was among the honey industry protestors who took a stand at Parliament House in Canberra recently. Inside the house, Independent MP Tony Windsor put the matter to acting Minister for Agriculture Tony Burke, who obliged with little more than some sweet words of concern.
Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said it was time for the government to stop this emerging crisis.
“This is one of the most serious issues facing the Australian food industry,” Mr Scott said.
“The question is not what it will cost to eradicate the Asian bee; it is how much it will cost Australia if we do not eradicate this pest,” he said.
“Asian honey bees compete with our European bees for floral resources for pollination.
“The stone fruit in Stanthorpe, melons in the Chinchilla region, and other fruit and vegetable crops across the Maranoa electorate are pollinated by European bees.”
The issue, it seems, was overshadowed by the carbon debate.
The problem is the honey bee industry is only small, with just 1800 members who contribute $100,000 to safeguard against the risk – that is about 20 per cent of the control/eradication program. State and Federal Governments foot the rest – 40 per cent each. But not for much longer.
Other pollination-dependent industries like agricultural and horticultural food production are also at risk if the infestations move south. North Queensland MP Bob Katter says, “About 65 per cent of Australia’s agriculture is reliant on European bee pollination.”
The Asian bee is commonly spread throughout Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Uncontained here it is expected to drive up prices of fruit and even cars which are fancied for nesting.
The bee is 10mm long and aggressive. It multiplies rapidly and may take over nesting sites for native bees, birds and native mammals, threatening biodiversity.
Local honey producers encourage readers to write to the Federal Minister for Agriculture Joe Ludwig to keep funding the Asian Bee eradication program.
