Group to seek joint approach

The National Beekeepers Association says it will work with the Government to assess how a joint approach might lead to better management of biosecurity risks to beekeepers.

Association president Barry Foster said the group had agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Primary Industries Ministry to talk about a government industry agreement ( GIA) on biosecurity. These agreements give primary producers a bigger say in biosecurity decision-making, while contributing to biosecurity funding.

“The National Beekeepers Association needs to find out exactly what benefits there are for us as beekeepers and we need to identify the possible downsides,” Mr Foster said. Once that is done . . . then our members can make an informed decision as to whether or not to sign up formally to the GIA deed.”

The ministry was working with about 25 industry representative bodies on signing MOUs.