Pollination Solutions Sought
Federated Farmers is keen to work with the government on finding ways to solve problems caused by the spread of the
varroa bee mite, said Frank Brenmuhl, chair of Dairy Farmers of New Zealand, the dairy arm of Federated Farmers of New
Zealand.
“The base to New Zealand’s successful pastoral sector is the white clover in our pasture, which is able to naturally
convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen in the soil. This white clover relies largely on the feral bee population
for its pollination.
The varroa mite (varroa destructor) is an external parasite of honey bees that attacks adult bees and their developing
larvae, weakening and killing honeybee colonies.
“With no feral bees to pollinate white clover the natural source of nitrogen in our soils will be severely depleted.
“The only option for farmers will be to add more fertiliser. This will come at a huge cost,” Mr Brenmuhl said.
MAF has estimated the cost to the pastoral industry of the varroa mite to be around $234 million. But this is an
extremely conservative estimate, and the longer term effects could be in the billions,” said Mr Brenmuhl.
“Farmers want to work with the government to seek solutions to the problems caused by varroa. Dumping huge amounts of
fertiliser on pastures is not a sustainable answer.
“Judging on what has happened in the North Island, South Islanders can expect varroa to be in Bluff by 2010 with the
south’s feral bee population decimated,” said Mr Brenmuhl.
“We need to start finding solutions to the problems that the spread of varroa will cause pastoral farmers,” Mr Brenmuhl
said.
“It is encouraging that the government, through the Sustainable Farming Fund, has allocated $103,000 towards strategic
planning for pollination needs in export crops, and that it has pledged to investigate potential research proposals for
pollination dependent primary sectors. However, given the importance of the pastoral sector to the New Zealand economy,
the allocation and pledge are just a start,” Mr Brenmuhl said.
Ends