Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) was detected in sentinel hives at the Port of Newcastle on 22 June.

A Biosecurity (Varroa mite) Emergency Order is now in place to protect the local honey industry from Varroa mite.

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) has established emergency zones around a total of 19 infested premises, and has forbidden bees from being moved across NSW.

NSW DPI says close epidemiological links in all cases so far means the apiary industry has a “good opportunity” to eradicate this biosecurity threat and stop the onset of the Varroa mite.

Varroa destructor is a serious parasite of adult European honey bees, (Apis mellifera) (EHB) and is considered the greatest threat to Australia’s honey and honey bee pollination plant industries.

Keep up to date with the situation via this NSW DPI webpage.