Beekeepers worried about dual challenges facing the industry

At a recent national beekeeping conference in Launceston, delegates discussed significant threats facing the industry, particularly the spread of Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) across eastern Australia and the potentially devastating Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), which has not yet affected the country's European honeybee populations. Over 100 attendees, including queen bee breeders and honey marketers, urged state and federal governments to enhance biosecurity measures, starting with a ban on unpasteurized imported honey that may carry DWV. They also called for improved testing of drone semen to prevent DWV from entering hives.