Apiarists, commonly known as beekeepers, descended on parliament this week to make their views on government proposals to relax restrictions on importing bee products known. Among those who advanced, like a wave of honey, on the beehive was Wairarapa apiarist Peter Ferris, a man who has his own theories as towhy the government may open the doors. "It's probably something to do with free trade." He said the industry's main concern is that by letting in overseas honey New Zealand bee keepers will be exposed to diseases foreign honey carry, in particular European foulbrood. "It can be spread so easily, all it takes is a drop of honey." He said the effects of an outbreak of foulbrood would be devastating to the bee industry, which is something that can't be risked following the varoa outbreak of 2000, which he said destroyed 27,000 hives in the North Island alone. "Varoa had a devastating effect on bees and pollination. "European foulbrood would have an even bigger impact. If foulbrood comes in you can kiss goodbye to a lot of beekeepers. They won't be able to keep up with the costs of treatment - it will kick them out of the industry straight away. "The industry can't afford any more costs because of varoa." Mr Ferris, who manages several thousand hives from Tora to Pongaroa, said he thought a trade deal was a likely reason for the move because honey is not exactly in short supply in New Zealand as it is. "There is plenty of domestic honey, we have a surplus right now. Why bring [foreign honey] in and jeopardise an industry that's pretty disease free?" He said there is only one way to guarantee Euro foulbrood won't make it to the country, and that is by treating it with antibiotics ? something the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) don't approve of. "At present New Zealand beekeepers use no antibiotics, and MAF doesn't like antibiotics." He said the march had been a success, drawing people from as far south as Canterbury and Kaitaia in the north, and had drawn support from many quarters. But he was angry it had taken such action to get heard. "We went there to today to try and impress our views on the minister, but he doesn't seem to have his ears on. "I took my daughter and I said to her in all my years as a beekeeper (26) it's a shame we have to come down to Parliament to get heard."
