Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Australia’s honey industry is under threat from an outbreak of a potentially devastating parasite. The outbreak was a Varroa tick detected in the Port of Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW) state.
Launch AFP, due to the outbreak of this parasitic tick, authorities in NSW have implemented a strict biosafety zone. Now beehives in southeast Australia are closed aka lockdown since Monday (27/6/2022).
To stop the spread, guards within the 50-kilometre (31-mile) biosecurity zone will not be able to move beehives, bees, honey or combs until further notice. The NSW state Department of Primary Industries said the measures were aimed at “making sure we get rid of parasites”.
“It is imperative that beekeepers in the Newcastle area do not move hives or any equipment into or out of the area,” the Australian Honeybee Industry Council said.
“Removing the hives will only exacerbate the problem and make eradication efforts futile.”
The Varroa parasitic tick can attack and eat honey bees. The tiny red-brown mites can also kill entire colonies, although they are not native to Australia. However, Australia’s honey industry does depend primarily on non-native species.
Australia itself is said to be the only major honey-producing country, where the Varroa mite is not endemic. Apart from the honey industry, bees are vital in the pollination of countless crops.
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