Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has estimated the Varroa mite will cost the New Zealand economy between $400 and $900 million over 35 years. Photo / Northern Advocate
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has estimated the Varroa mite will cost the New Zealand economy between $400 and $900 million over 35 years. Photo / Northern Advocate
Hundreds of beekeepers are gathering this month to talk about a major threat posed to their industry by the varroa mite's resistance to chemicals used to control it.
The National Beekeepers' Association (NBA) is holding workshops throughout July to brief beekeepers on the results of the Varroa-Sensitive Hygiene (VSH) Project,a piece of research aimed at developing varroa-resistant bees.
The varroa mite first entered New Zealand in April 2000 and is the most damaging honey bee pest worldwide, said NFA president Barry Foster.
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) estimated the mite will cost the New Zealand economy between $400 and $900 million over 35 years.
"The industry in New Zealand has managed it well for the last decade, but we always knew the mite would eventually become resistant to the chemicals with which we've treated it successfully until now," he said.
"This looming resistance issue poses threats to beekeepers and to the multi-billion dollar agricultural sectors that rely on bees for pollination."
The five-year VSH Project offered the latest information about varroa control and could be pivotal in helping manage New Zealand's struggle with the varroa mite, Foster said.
It was designed to breed a population of bees that could deal with the varroa mite naturally, with some assistance from beekeepers.
