NZBIG Welcomes Varroa Agency

NZBIG Welcomes Varroa Agency

The New Zealand Bee Industry Group (NZBIG) welcomes the establishment of the Varroa Agency to manage the ongoing struggle against the Varroa bee mite, said NZBIG Vice Chairman and Canterbury beekeeper Geoff Hantz.

The Varroa Agency will oversee the running of the Varroa pest management strategy (PMS), aimed at keeping the South Island free of Varroa.

“It has been a long process, but now that the Varroa PMS is formally in place we hope that the board can get down to the job of arranging the crucial South Island surveillance for this season,” says Mr Hantz. On behalf of the agency, the board will appoint a manager to run the strategy on a day-to-day basis.

“It is pleasing that a priority of the Varroa Agency is to negotiate a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry outlining eradication guidelines in the event of a South Island varroa incursion.

“The New Zealand Bee Industry Group thanks all the individuals, agencies and organisations for their efforts over the last four years to make the strategy a reality, and looks forward to working with them to ensure the success of the PMS,” concluded Mr Hantz.

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