Declaration of biosecurity emergency areas for American foulbrood and varroa mite
LAST week we took a look at the Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for the giant invasive iguana (GII) and fruit fly species which are of concern to Fiji. This week we take a look at the Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for the American Foulbrood and Varroa Mite.
There are a total of seven declarations in place. The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) in successfully executing its functions has the authority to declare certain areas in Fiji as a Biosecurity Emergency Area. Declaring an area as a Biosecurity Emergency Area is a response to a biosecurity emergency – where there is a current incursion or suspected incursion of a regulated pest or disease in any area in Fiji, or the existence of some other biosecurity threat, which requires urgent action, whether by eradication, containment or other response.
A quick recap of the past few weeks articles is as follows:
■ The Biosecurity Act 2008 is a legislation that empowers BAF and provides for its functions and operational affairs;
■ The Biosecurity Act 2008 provides for the Declaration of Biosecurity
Emergency Areas;
■ Insight into the Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for Bovine Tuberculosis;
■ Insight into the Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for Bovine Brucellosis;
■ Insight into the Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for Asian Subterranean Termites;
■ Insight into the Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for GII and Fruit Fly Species
■ Consequential effects of failing to adhere to the Declarations in place.
This week we will focus on the remaining two declarations. As of September 11, 2020, the following is applicable:
1) Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for American Foulbrood (Paenibacillus larvae)
Pursuant to Legal Notice No. 8 of 2020, the whole of Fiji is a Biosecurity Emergency Area for American Foulbrood. Under this Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Area, there is a prohibition on the movement of honey bees, bee hives and bee products, excluding extracted honey for commercial purpose, within Fiji unless BAF provides prior authorisation for the movement. The prohibition of movement also includes any materials such as bee keeping tools and equipment exposed or having any type of contact with honey bees in Fiji. This is in place to restrict the spread of American Foulbrood in Fiji.
2) Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for Varroa Mite (Varroa jacobsoni)
Pursuant to Legal Notice No. 87 of 2020, the whole of Fiji is a Biosecurity Emergency Area for Varroa Mite.
This Declaration of Biosecurity Emergency Areas for Varroa Mite is in place Fiji wide and restricts the movement of beehives, nucleus, queen bees, or used apicultural equipment within Fiji unless approval has been granted by BAF. This is in place to restrict the spread of Varroa Mite in Fiji.
The purpose of restricting the movement of bees and its apparatuses, as mentioned above, is to restrict the spread of the diseases, American Foulbrood and Varroosis caused by Varroa Mite, in Fiji. These diseases cause bee colonies to collapse considerably which would have a significant economic impact on the apiculture (bee) industry in Fiji. As a result of its economic effect and the need to control such exotic pests and diseases in Fiji, the movement restriction has been put in place.
Failure to adhere to the legal notices above will result in hefty penalties being issued against perpetrators as outlined in the Biosecurity Act 2008. These are:
■ For an individual, the maximum fine applicable is $50,000 with a fixed penalty of $1000 and/or possible imprisonment of five months;
■ For a company, the maximum fine applicable is $250,000 with a fixed penalty of $5000.
To obtain approval for the movement of bees, nucleus, hives/colonies and its respective apparatuses within Fiji, please contact your nearest BAF office and you will be advised of the process. Also, if you are in the apicultural industry and wish to have your hives tested, please contact the nearest BAF office for assistance.
For further information on the subject please contact the Biosecurity Authority of Fiji on 3312512 or Short Codes:
General Enquiries - 5994, Termites - 5996, Giant Invasive Iguana (GII) - 5995,
Animal Disease Surveillance - 5997 or email info@ baf.com.fj, visit BAF website www.baf.com.fj