Maintenance of Varroa Movement Control Line

NZBIG Welcomes Maintenance of Varroa Movement Control Line - in the meantime

Today's advice from MAF that the Controlled Area Notice notifying the Varroa movement control line is still in place even though the government's transitional varroa management programme may have ended yesterday, is very reassuring says New Zealand Bee Industry Group Chair Milton Jackson.

"We are encouraged that the Minister has made it clear that he is prepared to keep inter-island movement restrictions in place while the Varroa Programme Group works on the Varroa Pest Management Strategy proposal," said Mr Jackson.

"Abandoning movement restrictions would be opening the flood gates. The South Island would be infected with varroa in no time at all.

"It is heartening to hear that MAF will be consulting the bee industry this week to discuss options for the North Island. NZBIG believes that abandoning the Movement Control Line runs the risk that people's minds will drift from the importance of controlling the spread of the Varroa Bee Mite.

"The implications of varroa reaching the South Island are catastrophic for both the Beekeeping and Pastoral Agricultural Industries. We cannot afford to be complacent about New Zealand's domestic biosecurity."

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