Federated Farmers Bees
Representing New Zealand's Bee Keepers
Federated Farmers Bees will respond to any issue that is likely to effect the viability of beekeeping businesses.
An example of recent work by Federated Farmers Bees is it having a say in the national biosecurity strategy. Another issue it is lobbying government on, is the importation of honey from Australia. It is the view of Federated Farmers Bees that this honey poses a biosecurity threat because it has the potential to contain European Foulbrood bacteria. The entry of this bacterial disease would have a severe impact on the future viability of New Zealand beekeeping.
If you are a commercial beekeeper you are encouraged to join Federated Farmers Bees. Hobbyists and other commercial operators who support the industry are also welcome.
Federated Farmers Bees represents the interests of New Zealand's bee keepers through the Bee industry group executive.
For more information please contact Federated Farmers Bee Industry Groups Policy Advisor Nick Hanson at nhanson@fedfarm.org.nz.
Federated Farmers 2011 Manifesto: Bees Issues
The once bright future of the honey bee in New Zealand is under serious threat. The arrival of the Varroa mite in 2000 dramatically changed the future of the bee industry. As it has spread Federated Farmers has seen the decimation of New Zealand's feral/wild beehives, effectively halving the total bee pollination workforce. Without human intervention, this aggressive mite will kill every bee colony in New Zealand.
Pollination provided by the bee industry contributes at least $4.5 billion annually to New Zealand's economy and underpins a further $12.5 billion of export revenue from the horticulture, arable, pastoral and beekeeping sectors. No other industry sector holds such a responsibility; pollination delivers much of the food we eat and a large portion of the products which we export as a nation.
The increasing importance of agricultural sustainability and food security means that honey bee decline both in New Zealand and internationally is of serious concern. Aside from habitat loss, the main issues leading to a pollinator crisis in New Zealand are increasing honey bee pests and diseases, declining floral resources leading to pollen shortages and bee malnutrition and undervaluing the vital role of the beekeeping industry to the economy.
Significant threats to New Zealand's bee population and horticulture, arable and pastoral industries come in the form of bacteria, viruses and invasive insects. Any combination of these combined with Varroa can be devastating and do irreparable damage. It is vital that as a country we recognise the immense value the honey bee delivers and accordingly take immediate steps to strengthen our protection of this key sector. Part of this process must be strong and successful biosecurity measures.
The Federation considers robust Import Health Standards are another crucial tool for the protection of our bee industry. When this fails our industry and many others are put in jeopardy.
The importation of ‘artificial' pollen for use in the kiwifruit industry which occurred under an Import Health Standard relating to nursery stock was unacceptable. The bee industry was never consulted and therefore there were no protocols for testing the pollen for viruses or bacteria. Unfortunately, this may have led to the introduction of PSA into New Zealand kiwifruit orchards. This is an example of why stricter controls are needed on all bee related products coming into New Zealand.
The American Foulbrood Pest Management Strategy's ten year review is still a work in progress and the current strategy stands, almost three years since the review was initiated. This performance offers little comfort for an industry that has driven this strategy and has strived to achieve the goals which were set.
Key challenges and campaigns
Notification of Nosema ceranae detection - Federated Farmers regrets to advise all beekeepers, that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has just confirmed the first ever detection of Nosema ceranae in New Zealand in hives on the Coromandel.
To link to the MAF website where you can find updates, please click here, you can also find the Federations updates to members below.
Resistance to Varroa treatments - Pesticide resistance occurs when a pest becomes more and more able to withstand the pesticide being used. This means that, that the pesticide no longer kills varroa mites effectively. Varroa mites can build up resistance to pesticide chemicals and misuse can speed this process. Overseas, varroa mites have developed resistance to all the pesticides that are used to kill varroa mites in New Zealand. To avoid major losses of beehives it is important to slow the development of pesticide resistance.
Consultation on the development of monofloral standards for honey - Submissions have been received and considered by the Bee Products Standards Council (BPSC). Please click here to read the brief report to the BPSC which contains a summary of the submissions received. You can also read a second report being published in the October edition of The Beekeeper, by clicking here, as well as a table you can view by clicking here. The BPSC is continuing to work on these standards and their implementation.
‘Trees for Bees’ programme - The Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group has established the ‘Trees for Bees' programme in order to ensure that bees have the opportunity to gather pollen and nectar, providing the vitamins and minerals required to maintain optimum hive strength and a viable pollinated bee force.
Farmers will appreciate that posts and wire offer little to bees and the practice of denuding the countryside of trees, gorse and broom has threatened the health of bees.
The Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group is producing brochures, by region, which make suggestions about what you can plant throughout your farm and along the riparian margins in order to support bee health. The brochure will also include what plants and trees by region are banned by regional councils and highlight those which the bee industry do not want to see planted, including Tutin.
Sustainable farming encourages natural pollination. The honey bee is responsible for over 80 percent of all pollination and relies on programmes such as these.
The regional brochures can be downloaded by clicking here.
The national programme brochure is available below.
Bee aware - Federated Farmers Bee industry group is embarking on a major publicity campaign to make decision-makers and the public aware of just how critical bees are to the agricultural and horticultural sectors as well as everyone who owns or enjoys a garden.
At the annual conference in Cromwell Bee industry group, chairman John Hartnell told delegates that bees tend to be taken for granted. He said some people in the agricultural sector are not aware of how easily bees can be harmed.
The Bee Industry Group acknowleges an initiative from Agcarm who has published a brochure to help anyone using agrichmicals take better care of bees.
News and events
Manuka honey steering group - The Manuka honey steering group was initiated after industry members met with the Hon David Carter and the Hon Kate Wilkinson at Parliament on the 23 June 2009. The meeting addressed the need to restore the reputation for integrity of New Zealand Manuka products exported overseas and the damage of ambiguous labelling by exporters and distributors of Manuka honey products with no Non Peroxide Activity (NPA) and consumer confusion about competing standards.
An update on the group's progress, a FQA document and support form can be downloaded below.
Honey drums/pallecons - Earlier this year an issue arose regarding the lining compliance in the current EU Commission Standard 1895/2005. The issue was whether the lining or pallecon is suitable to come into direct contact with food (honey). In particular, Federated Farmers were interested in obtaining the appropriate approvals from the manufacturer of the lining as well as the correct application to the internal walls of the drum. We can now confirm that both Auckland Drum and Visy have the appropriate documented approvals from their lining suppliers.
For your RMP you will require a letter from Visy or Auckland Drum, on their letterhead, which states that the lining/coating used is complaint with the EU directive and that the application of the lining/coating meets the guidelines and standards as determined by the supplier.
Please note it is not acceptable to just have a copy of a letter or fax from the lining/coating supplier. You must have the original letter from Visy or Auckland Drum on their company letterhead to meet RMP audit requirements. You can view a copy of an example letter by downloading the link below.
Fungus product to battle varroa - A common fungus has been turned into a super weapon that kills the varroa mite, which has devastated New Zealand bees. To read more, click here.
Keeping you informed
Federated Farmers produces newsletters for each of its seven industry groups.
Federated Farmers Bees electronic newsletter is called The BIG Picture and is distributed bi-monthly. Subscribe to Federated Farmers publications here.
