Australia abandons $100 million plan to eradicate deadly bee pest

But on Tuesday, the National Management Group (NMG) unanimously decided to end those efforts, with the NSW government conceding eradication is no longer possible and that focus now needed to shift to managing the impact of the pest.

The NMG said the illegal movement of bees and non-compliance with eradication measures from some beekeepers contributed to the program’s failure.

“The priority now is for the NSW Department of Primary Industries to communicate with all the stakeholders of the beekeeper and pollination sectors and advise them what the change in program means for their industry,” NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said.

“I’ve directed the Department of Primary Industries to immediately engage industry stakeholders and beekeepers to provide guidance and assistance so that they can quickly respond to the transition of the Varroa mite management program.”

Dr Amy-Marie Gilpin, a lecturer for invertebrate ecology in the School of Science at Western Sydney University, said the decision will have far-reaching effects, and that Australia will now need to follow the footsteps of other countries that manage the mite.

“Elsewhere around the world, apiarists have employed management practices that allow them to live with the mite and suppress the associated diseases that the mite can spread,” she said.

“Our only option now is to try to suppress the spread and to make regular checks of managed hives to ensure hive health and manage potential disease.”

However, she said there could be an unexpected positive impact.

“The spread of varroa may, however, help to reduce feral honeybee numbers which may ultimately reduce the chance of disease transmission from feral unmanaged colonies which in turn may have significant implications for native plant-pollinator systems.”