Beekeepers across New South Wales are back in the business of making honey after a nearly-three-week ban following the detection of varroa mites at the Port of Newcastle.Beekeepers outside red emergency zone in NSW can now work hives and extract honey if within same zoneThere are now 38 infested sites, the latest in the Upper Hunter
"They can go in and manipulate their hives, remove honey, add supers and make sure the bees are comfortable, not going to swarm and are not starving," he said. "So it becomes very difficult because a lot of people have their bees in other places than where their sheds are or their extraction plant. While beekeepers outside the red zone are now allowed to extract honey, there are still regulations that apply to moving it.
His hives are clean, but detections at Denman and Jerrys Plains have the local beekeeping community on edge.Mr Ruxton said the impact would be "monumental".
Sad for the beekeepers who have lost everything. I hope they can pick up again. I would still like to know how this pest got in ...seems like sabotage.
How about running this story?