Question Time

Varroa Mite

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): My questions are to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of varroa mite and the bee industry:

1. How long is it before we expect varroa mite to make its way to South Australia?

2. What are the estimated impacts that varroa mite would have on the bee industry here in South Australia?

3. What are the predicted impacts of varroa mite on South Australian pollination services?

4. How many FTEs in PIRSA are currently assigned to managing the bee industry?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:18): I thank the honourable member for her question. As we will recall, last year there was an outbreak of varroa mite in New South Wales, and initially there was an eradication process in place. Unfortunately, that didn't result in eradication and the outbreaks in New South Wales continued. It was first detected—actually, I don't think it was last year; I think it was in June 2022, if I recall correctly.

As we know, varroa mite is considered the greatest biosecurity threat to both Australia's honey bee industry and Australia's agricultural and horticultural honey bee pollination-dependent industries. In response to the detection, following the initial outbreaks and detections, the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed involved containment, tracing, surveillance, education and compliance.

It was 455 days of intensive response, being the biggest plant pest response ever undertaken in New South Wales, I am advised, but after that the National Management Group (NMG) confirmed on 19 December last year that the agreed position from all members of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests had changed and that varroa mite eradication was now no longer considered technically feasible and the response should shift to a transition to management program.

The National Management Group met on 9 February this year and endorsed a new national response plan, incorporating the transition to management. The total costs of the response, including transition to management activities, are being shared, up to a revised limit of $100 million. The national response plan has a strong focus on education and engagement activities to support the bee industry, and further information about the activities being undertaken is expected to be published or may, indeed, have recently been published. I will need to take that on notice to check.

In September last year, I approved the establishment of the South Australian Varroa Industry Advisory Committee (SAVIAC) for an initial period of 12 months, with the primary role of providing advice to the chief executive on the development and implementation of the transition to management strategy for South Australia. It is intended that this committee will ensure that the decisions that are being made in relation to varroa mite being detected in South Australia are being made with the benefit of industry support and involvement.

The committee currently comprises an independent chair; two representatives from each of the two South Australian peak honey bee industry bodies; one representative from the national peak honey bee industry body, AHBIC; two representatives from honey bee pollination-dependent industries; and a representative with knowledge of and expertise on commercial beekeepers.

In terms of South Australia, the apiary industry pollinates agricultural and horticultural crops valued at an estimated $1.7 billion and produces more than $11 million worth of honey bee products annually. The South Australian government continues to take a responsible approach to the ongoing situation in New South Wales, and we remain committed to working closely with New South Wales DPI, Biosecurity Queensland, Agriculture Victoria, pollination-dependent industries and the honey bee industry to ensure an appropriate response for South Australia.

As such, movement restrictions on entry of bees and bee commodities into South Australia that have been in place since June 2022 continue, according to my advice, whilst being regularly reviewed and updated. Entry of bees and bee commodities are subject to Chief Inspector of Stock permission, with individual applications assessed on risks, including origin, commodity type and ability to treat. The South Australian government continues to work closely with industry, state and federal counterparts, and we will continue to assess and monitor the situation and respond accordingly.

In terms of the question as to when we can expect it in South Australia, that question is akin to, 'How long is a piece of string?' We are doing what we can in terms of the measures I have just outlined. We certainly do not wish to see it in South Australia, but it is obviously something that is transmitted and may eventually get here. We intend to be as prepared as possible when that occurs; hence the transition to management strategy.