Our role supporting industry
NSW DPIRD maintains an ongoing program of advisory and compliance activities within the beekeeping industry, supported by the Biosecurity Act 2015.
These programs focus on activities and campaigns that:
- support best practice beekeeping
- reduce the risks of pests and diseases impacting industry
- boost registration and compliance.
Industry engagement
The department works closely with the bee industry and other agencies to raise bee biosecurity awareness. Bee Biosecurity Officers are available to assist NSW beekeepers adopt best practice and provide advice regarding pest and disease management. Rod Bourke, Sam Giggins, Daniel Martin, Alex Schellenberg, Harvey Howard, and Doug Purdie have extensive beekeeping experience across a spectrum of beekeeping operations.
Contact the team by emailing bee.biosecurity@dpird.nsw.gov.au and a Bee Biosecurity Officer near you will help you with any pest or disease issues you're facing. The team are also available to visit beekeeping clubs/branches or attend field days.
Bee Biosecurity News
The ‘Bee Biosecurity News’ is a quarterly e-newsletter sent to all registered beekeepers keeping them up to date with the most recent biosecurity news and events for the beekeeping industry.
Bee Industry Biosecurity Consultative Committee (BIBCC)
Established in 2017, the BIBCC consults with DPIRD on the continuing protection of the honeybee industry from biosecurity risks and raising the awareness of good biosecurity practices for industry.
The BIBCC meet regularly and, alongside the department, is represented by North Shore Beekeepers Association, Amateur Beekeepers Association, NSW Apiarists Association, Crop Pollination Association Inc. and the NSW Honeybee Biosecurity State Advisory Group.
Awareness and preparedness
The department has increased efforts in improving biosecurity awareness for the beekeeping industry, conducting campaigns that focus on preparedness and awareness of major biosecurity threats, safe beekeeping and the importance of registration.
American Foulbrood (AFB) Awareness Month
AFB Awareness Month aims to raise awareness of AFB by working with clubs and associations across the state to share information and distribute AFB test kits. Advisory material including fact sheets, videos and a new animation target how to manage and report AFB.
Bee Pest Blitz
Bee Pest Blitz is a nationally coordinated initiative which aims to highlight awareness of different bee pests each year. In previous years, the campaign has focused on raising awareness of varroa mite and tropilaelaps mite, and encouraged immediate reporting of any suspect detection to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline.
Diagnostic laboratory testing
The department’s diagnostic laboratories at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI) Menangle, conduct bee disease testing for American foulbrood, European foulbrood, Chalkbrood, Nosema and small hive beetle. Specimens of any unusual brood or adult bee conditions and any parasitic mites can also be submitted for examination.
Compliance operations
Enforcement activity
The department has the power to take appropriate enforcement action against beekeepers that demonstrate poor compliance with the Act. The most common breaches for beekeepers are failure to register their hives and failure to report notifiable pests and diseases such as American Foulbrood.
Responding to reports of nuisance bees
The department will take action against nuisance bee reports if an investigation determines that there is a risk to public health or public safety caused by the bees. Reports of nuisance bees that are deemed high risk are investigated as a priority. To report nuisance bees use the online reporting tool or call us on 1800 084 881.
