20 February 2002
No varroa found in beehives around Pauatahanui
Samples taken from approximately 80 managed hives within a 5 kilometre radius of a find of varroa at Pauatahanui made
earlier this month have all tested negative for the invasive bee mite.
"These test results are an encouraging sign that MAF and the National Beekeepers Association have been able to contain
the spread of varroa in the Wellington region," says Paul Bolger, MAF's Varroa Programme Coordinator.
"From what we know about the terrain and prevailing weather conditions around Pauatahanui at the time of this exposure
to varroa it appears that this was an isolated incident. However the Varroa Management Group has acknowledged that
varroa will eventually spread throughout the North Island," he says.
"While these tests are helpful, MAF had also scheduled widespread surveillance of the lower North Island which will
commence by April. When the result of this sampling is known we will be able to re-evaluate the effectiveness of the
movement control programme
"The current movement control line is targeted at slowing the spread of varroa through restricting movement of managed
beehives and known associated material. Feral bees cannot be targeted in the same way.
"The message to take from this is that the transport industry and the travelling public in general, need to display
extra caution to ensure their loads are free of all bees and bee material".
For further information contact
Paul Bolger or Stephen Olsen
Varroa Programme Coordinator Communications Adviser
DDI: (04) 474 4144 DDI: (04) 470 2753