Farewell Sir Ed - Beekeeper, mountaineer and humanitarian.

Beehive Logic - Is there logic in the "Beehive"? When is a decision not a decision? Perhaps we need to address such a question to the Minister of Agriculture? Once again the bee industry is left to ponder the logic and rational of those who are charged with the protection of our borders and the future of apiculture in New Zealand. One can only assume that on the arrival in New Zealand of EFB (European Foulbrood), the Minister will be prepared to accept the responsibility of his actions and provide financial support to the many agricultural and horticultural sectors that will see pollination costs rise three fold and the benefits of high country clover nitrogen regeneration slowly dwindle to be replaced with expensive and less beneficial pastoral fertilisation.

Federated Farmers will seek to address the parliamentary select committee on the proposed amendments to the Biosecurity Act and Hazardous Substance and New Organism Act.

At this time we wish to acknowledge the success and good efforts of the National Beekeepers Association as they now face a back door and cowardly attack on their successful court room defence against the importation of Australian honey. Will logic prevail?

Market Place - Yes, we live in free market economy, but we also need realistic returns for our apicultural production. Historically export sales were a means to dispose of the annual honey crop surplus, the difference between domestic consumption and annual production - often this was at a discount, but at times achieving small premiums over the domestic market.

Today, export prices for main crop honey varieties have been for some time higher than those offered for the equivalent product domestically, even with the extremely high dollar. Do we export for cash or sell domestically on the drip, and by default become the business bank for the domestic packer? It is unfortunate that our export markets can not absorb more volume. At what point do our packers begin to acknowledge the requirement for a fair price? A price which is sustainable and offers an incentive to be loyal through good times and bad. What a shame the New Zealand retail price for honey is not reflected in the price you are paid. Wake up packers, without producers who are committed and loyal to your business, everyone from the consumer down will be the loser. No honey ... No money.

American Foulbrood Update - The manager for the National Pest Management Strategy on American Foulbrood (AFB), Rex Baynes, met with a cross section of Federated Farmers Bees, National Beekeepers Association members and AsureQuality staff in Christchurch in December. The focus of the meeting was a brief update on the current status of the strategy, the 2007/8 AFB surveillance programme and the roll out across the greater Canterbury region. We can report that surveillance programme is well advanced through the good efforts of the Canterbury AFB surveillance team.

Educating Farmers - At the last National Council meeting it was agreed that Federated Farmers would in 2008, rollout a comprehensive bee education programme targeting the agricultural and horticultural sector. This awareness campaign will reflect the need to educate those who benefit from bee pollination and the requirement for a better and stronger appreciation of bee management and the part each farmer or horticulturalist plays in the on farm success of bee activity.

Pollination Contract (Small Seeds) - In conjunction with Midland Seeds, the Federated Farmers Bee Executive and co-opted beekeepers are now reviewing two draft contracts with the view of formulating one bee industry standard Small Seeds Pollination Services Contract - once completed it will be available for the 2008 pollination season. This contract will be a very important management tool for all beekeepers involved in seed pollination. Your pollination activities should be covered by such an agreement.

Varroa Update - We ask that all beekeepers be vigilant and urge all Nelson/Marlborough beekeepers to continue their good efforts and to be extremely diligent with their individual movement programmes. For an informative view on Dutch Varroa management, and a detailed schedule for Varroa Control with organic based treatments click here. Note the dates shown are for the northern hemisphere not New Zealand.

AsureQuality Audit Charges - Notification has been given of the new Audit Fee structure for 2008 verification of Risk Management Programmes (RMP). The fee structure is now based on a fixed fee for services rather than actual charge out plus time and mileage. This has raised concerns from RMP operators who are in close proximity to AsureQuality, Christchurch as they believe they are now subsidising operators in other regions. While this is a fair assumption it could be suggested that those in outlying areas may well support this type of fee structure. Federated Farmers Bees will seek a breakdown of costs associated with the new fee structure. Remember that if you load-out for export from your RMP premises then you should book a load-out audit to coincide with your main RMP audit; this will reduce your annual compliance cost.

Political Commentary - The address by Colin James at the last National Council meeting was worthy of note:

Currency - seriously over priced - 20 to 30 percent - high interest rates the main contributing factor.
Government operating surplus will continue over the next four years and beyond, however government spending needs to be contained.
Firm world growth over next three years, however must watch China, India and USA financial markets.

Social Framework - general positive mood, consumer confidence up but interest rates and fuel costs seen as a negative.
National party win next elections, John Key at helm, huge leads over Labour on economic management, interest rates and taxes.
Key political issues - climate/energy, social services, tax, capital markets (Kiwi Saver), education and regulation.

Conference Date - The 2008 Federated Farmers Bees Conference will be held in Cromwell at the Golden Gate Lodge on June 17-18. Registration papers for conference will be sent out in April. Please diary these dates now, the only good conference is one that is attended by members. A successful event provides opportunity for learning, debate and comradeship. Have your say; your contribution is valuable and greatly appreciated.

Rush Not Worth the Risk - The government has introduced a Bill to urgently amend the Biosecurity Act and Hazardous Substance and New Organism Act, to resolve issues in managing the risk to New Zealand from incidentally imported new organisms.

Federated Farmers Bees is extremely concerned that important legislation is being rushed through without time for proper consultation from industry. The reason given for the urgency is issues arising from a Court of Appeal judgment in favour of the bee industry that according to the Crown creates an unworkable legal framework for management of risks at the New Zealand border. A select committee has been set up with only one week for industry to prepare submissions to the Bill.

The case relates to National Beekeepers' Association challenging import health standard as unlawful in relation to risk of a new organism European Foulbrood (P. alvei) being incidentally imported on honey or bee products from Australia.

Submission - Federated Farmers has submitted on this Bill. The main points from the submission are:

• The insistence of which the important legislative changes are being processed is not allowing enough time for a considered response by affected industry groups to the actual amendments and that MAF officials are overstating the urgency of the situation.
• The legislation as it stands does not create Technical Barriers to Trade.  The current legislative framework as operated under the HSNO Act by ERMA as a suitable process for the importation of organisms into New Zealand but has concerns with the use of the Import Health Standard process as enacted by MAF under the Biosecurity Act.
• Federated Farmers recommends that whether it sits under ERMA or MAF, an independent panel of experts should be established to ensure that all scientific and technical data used in decision-making is fully considered.
• The arrival of an organism on imported goods that may harbour either an ‘incidentally' or a ‘deliberately' introduced organism as a negative benefit to our economy and our environment.
• Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group (BIG) is extremely disappointed that the suggested Amendments are solely due to the Court of Appeal judgment coming out in favour of the beekeeper.

Access the Bill here 

New Name

The Federation has adjusted the names of its seven industry groups to create a clearer link to New Zealand's premier rural lobby group. New Zealand Bee Industry Group has been renamed Federated Farmers Bees. The new name is a better representation of all the different sections of the industry we act on behalf of. Each industry group has a new logo which illustrates the clear link to Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

Varroa Surveillance Update - Biosecurity New Zealand is awaiting confirmation of preliminary results of targeted testing in the Nelson-Marlborough controlled area last week which detected Varroa in an apiary about 10km south of Havelock, and in bees collected from a Blenheim honey house. These finds differ from the series of positive apiaries found around Pelorus Bridge, Canvastown and Havelock since Autumn 2007 surveillance. See the February 2008 Varroa South Island Surveillance Map.

Application Form Online - The Application Form AP32: Honey and Apiculture Products Processing Premises Country Listing Form from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority Exports Standards Group is now available on the Federated Farmers' website. 

Exporter Obligations - The Animal Products Act 1999 (APA), details situations where registered exporters must notify the Director-General. The process for notifying the Director-General has been unclear to some exporters, in response New Zealand Food Safety Authority has published guidance material and forms to facilitate exporters meeting their duties under the APA. Exporter obligations, forms, statements and declarations.

Signing Of Official Assurances - EU OMAR 1.14.17 requires export certificates must not be signed after the date of departure of the consignment from New Zealand unless supported by an eligibility document approved before this date. Recently there has been problems with several consignments to the EU that resulted in appeals to the Director, Market Access for dispensation to have the consignments certified after departure from New Zealand. In both cases, the eligibility document or export certificate were raised very close to departure (within one day) of the vessel from New Zealand. Also there were staffing changes with the Verification Agency onsite, and the tight timeframes for approval of these certificates, were not communicated by the operator. The EU OMAR states that "operators are responsible for ensuring that either the eligibility documents are approved on time or the dispatch of the consignment is delayed". However, it is essential that there are clear and agreed procedures between VA and the operator/exporter describing how this will be done. >>>MORE

Milton Jackson - With regret, we inform you that the former Chair of Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group passed away on Sunday November 25, 2007.

Sir Edmund Hillary - New Zealand's most famous beekeeper died on January 11, 2008 aged 88.

If you have any questions or comments about matters raised in this issue, please don't hesitate to contact one of the team below. After all, that's what they are here for!

Chairman
John Hartnell
M: 0274 345 357
H: 03 342 9930
john@hartnellnz.com
Fax: 03 342 9934

Executive
Graeme Albon
H: 03 318 4145
Fax: 03 318 4146

Executive
John Syme
H: 03 303 0874
M: 027 6613978
syme@paradise.net.nz
Fax: 03 303 0870

Executive
Peter Smyth
H: 03 693 9889
phsmyth@paradise.net.nz

Industry Manager
Bob Douglas
0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)
bdouglas@fedfarm.org.nz
Fax: 03 688 4022

Policy Advisor
Shona Sluys
0800 FARMING (0800 327 646)
ssluys@fedfarm.org.nz
Fax: 03 357 9451