Honey bees

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) is the peak honey bee industry body that represents the interests of its member state beekeeping organisations and beekeepers from around Australia. Responsibilities of the representative body include:

• biosecurity planning and implementation at the national and farm levels
• liaising with federal and state governments on trade issues
• funding and supporting biosecurity initiatives
• participating in national committees and response efforts in an emergency.

Industry overview

In 2015–16, honey and beeswax production was valued at $99 million. Around 20,800 beekeepers are currently registered, operating around 647,000 hives. Apiaries range in size from one hive to several thousand.

The industry has products other than honey. Australia exports live bees to some countries and our beeswax commands a premium price overseas. Trade relies on the healthy status of Australia’s bees, with beeswax valued highly because it lacks residue from pesticides used overseas to treat Varroa mites.

Australia’s bees are further valued for the pollination services that they provide to many plant industries, estimated to be worth $4-6 billion per year, and this is the reason the industry is a member of PHA.

The Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) works in partnership with other industries and governments to protect the health of bees with a number of biosecurity initiatives.
The Council contributes to the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program which operates at ports around Australia to provide an early detection mechanism for any exotic pests of bees and pest bees.

AHBIC worked with PHA and state and territory governments develop the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice to protect Australia’s honey bees, which was endorsed by the honey bee industry in 2016. The aim of the Code of Practice is to improve the management of established pests and diseases, as well as increase preparedness and surveillance for exotic pest threats.

In addition, the National Bee Biosecurity Program, a partnership arrangement involving Bee Biosecurity Officers in each state is nearing full establishment, with officers appointed in all states except Queensland.

AHBIC is currently a part of a national eradication program for Varroa jacobsoni in Townsville in north Queensland. The eradication phase has now concluded and in March 2017 the program entered a three year proof of freedom stage.

The honey bee industry is covered by version 1.0 of the honey bee biosecurity plan, which is due for review in 2018, and the Biosecurity Manual for Beekeepers Version 1.1.

Biosecurity plans, manuals and resources
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	Biosecurity planning provides a mechanism for the honey bee industry, government and other relevant stakeholders to assess current biosecurity practices and future biosecurity needs. Planning identifies procedures that can be put in place to reduce the chance of pests reaching our borders or minimise the impact if a pest incursion occurs. The Industry Biosecurity Plan for Honey Bee Industry outlines key threats to the industry, risk mitigation plans, identification and categorisation of exotic pests and contingency plans. For a copy, please contact PHA on 02 6215 7700 or email admin@phau.com.au
	The Biosecurity Manual for Beekeepers provides information for the industry and producers about biosecurity practices and honey bee pests. Biosecurity Online Training Honey bee biosecurity module: This online training module provides advice on keeping honey bees healthy using industry best practice. Apiary biosecurity forms The following forms are available as editable pdf documents: apiary production records apiary recommended practices
	Apiary biosecurity signs There are two templates for biosecurity signs: Honey bee biosecurity sign corflute panel with four eyelets for use on gates to properties or apiary A4 sign that can be staked at each apiary or moved around with each load of hive.
	Postcard Promotional postcard to support the exotic plant pest hotline 1800 084 881
	Brochure The Honey bee biosecurity threats brochure describes established and exotic pests of honey bees in Australia.