IT’S TIME FOR PLAN BEE
THE Australian Honey Bee Industry Council has developed a six-point plan to secure the future of commercial beekeeping as the sector struggles to recover from crippling drought and bushfires.
CROPS depending on bees for pollination are under threat as the insect that plays a vital role in Far North food security faces unprecedented pressure from drought, bushfire and the pandemic.
AgriFutures Australia managing director John Harvey says 35 horticultural and agricultural industries – including avocados, blueberries, pumpkin, macadamias, cherries and mangoes – depend on pollination services provided by honey bees.
“With all these food industries dependent on pollination for crop production, the annual contribution to the Australian economy of our honey bees is estimated to be a staggering $14.2 billion,” he says.
“This is in addition to the $147 million in farm gate value generated by honey and beeswax and an estimated $77 million in additional hive products.”
Mr Harvey said the industry was not recovering from the drought, which impacted much of eastern Australia over the past three years, and the past summer’s bushfires that destroyed 15.6 million hectares of native forest and more than 12,000 hives.
“Critical nectar and pollen sources for honey bee colonies have been lost and the industry’s ability to meet the pollination needs of agricultural crops is compromised,” he says.
“The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council has developed a six-point plan to rebuild and secure the future of commercial beekeeping and pollination services but cooperation and financial support from state and federal governments is required if it’s going to succeed.
“Access to floral resources on public land is another issue of vital importance to commercial beekeepers in all Australian states.”