Federated Farmers form NZ Bee Industry Council
At the request of beekeeper members, Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc) has today announced the formation of the
interim New Zealand Bee Industry Council (NZBIC).
Beekeeper members of Federated Farmers were asked to nominate for an interim council that will meet in late February to
set priorities for the year before a full council meeting in the middle of the year.
The five member interim council comprises Don Bell (Canterbury), Darren Clifford (Marlborough), Geoff Hantz
(Canterbury), Milton Jackson (Hawkes Bay) and Lin McKenzie (Otago).
Issues identified by the membership at this early stage include the mid-term review of the National Pest Management
Strategy for American Foulbrood Disease of bees and the proposed Pest Management Strategy for Varroa, the Biosecurity
Strategy and analysis of the value of beekeeping to the New Zealand economy.
Federated Farmers President Tom Lambie is delighted that a large number of members of the beekeeping industry have
chosen to align themselves with the Federation.
"The beekeeping industry is an integral part of New Zealand's primary industry. With beekeepers on board, Federated
Farmers can represent and understand a wider cross section of primary producers".