The introduction of the devastating varroa mite into Australia had led to the establishment of a new advisory committee to help manage the threat to South Australia’s bee industry.

Varroa destructor is a parasite of the European and Asian honey bee and is regarded as the most serious global bee pest, with death often occurring to bees in infested hives left untreated.

Since its detection in June last year at Newcastle, varroa has now spread within New South Wales to a point that eradication is considered no longer possible at the national level.

And while there are no known varroa cases in South Australia, it is estimated that the establishment of the pest across the nation could result in losses of more than $70 million a year to pollination-dependent industries.

The new South Australian Varroa Industry Advisory Committee (SAVIAC) will play a key role advising the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) during this transition to management phase.

SAVIAC will ensure that decisions being made in relation to preparing for and managing any potential detections of varroa in South Australia are being made with the benefit of relevant knowledge and expertise.

The Committee will include two representatives from the Beekeepers Society of South Australia, which mainly represents recreational beekeepers, two members from the South Australian Apiarists’ Association, which mainly represents commercial apiarists, and one representative nominated by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council, the national body representing the honey bee industry.

There will also be representatives (one each) from large commercial beekeepers and the pollination dependent industries.

Specialist members will be on hand to provide expertise in dealing with the environmental impacts of varroa management and  detection.