'Honey Laundering' Threatens Trade With US

New Zealand’s Honey Trade With US Threatened by ‘Honey Laundering’

New Zealand’s growing honey trade with the United States is in jeopardy if Australian honey products are allowed into the Kiwi market.

The National Beekeepers’ Association of New Zealand (NBA) says Australian honey is being mixed with international honey and exported as an Australian product.

NBA joint chief executive, Gemma Collier, says if Australian honey imports are allowed into New Zealand, New Zealand risks becoming a ‘honey laundering’ hub, a situation that would severely damage our honey exporters.

New Zealand exported approximately $4 million[1] worth of honey to the US in 2009. This is up from just under $2.5 million[2] in 2008.

“The US market is growing steadily, especially the manuka honey sector, and any risk to it is extremely concerning to the beekeeping industry,” Ms Collier says.

“We strongly advocate for the continued and indefinite suspension of all honey imports from Australia.”

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry extended the suspension of honey imports from Australia by up to two years in September 2009.

As a result of ‘honey laundering’ Australia is now on a US watch list of 13 countries whose honey products must be checked carefully on entry.

Ms Collier says establishing tracing and certification processes to ensure exported honey is solely of New Zealand origin would add significant extra costs to industry participants.

The NBA has long voiced its concerns over the issue of allowing Australian honey imports into New Zealand.

Ms Collier says allowing imports would also facilitate the very likely arrival of a number of dangerous diseases and pests.

“This would have far-reaching negative impacts on New Zealand’s $71 million honey export industry, not to mention our agricultural and horticultural industries, which underpin our economy.

“Estimates show approximately $3billion of New Zealand’s GDP is attributable to the intensive pollination of horticultural crops and agricultural pastures achieved using honey bees.

“Bees are fundamental to the future of New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural sectors and any threat or risk to the country’s bee population via honey imports could be disastrous for our economy.”

ENDS