Did you know that bees are important to the economy? The NSW beekeeping industry produces around 40 per cent of Australia’s 20 to 30 thousand tonne honey crop.
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Additionally, beekeepers provide an important pollination service for horticultural and crop industries which are estimated to contribute $3.8 billion annually to the Australian economy.
Biosecurity plays an important role in reducing impacts of bee pests and diseases that can have a detrimental financial impact as a result of production losses or increased costs of production.
Any beekeeper or person working with bees, hives, apiary equipment or apiary products has a responsibility for managing biosecurity risks that they know about.
The Mudgee Bee Group have invited Mark Page, NSW Department of Primary Industries Bee Biosecurity Surveillance Officer, to this evening's meeting to make sure that local bee enthusiasts are aware of potential risks.
Biosecurity plays an important role in reducing impacts of bee pests and diseases that can have a detrimental financial impact.
Mark will be talking with members about the pests and diseases, both endemic and exotic, that affect beehives.
Diseases such as American Foul Brood and Verroa mite devastate hives and are a major biosecurity risk to the industry. After his talk, Mark will join members to have a look at the Mudgee Bee Group hives to give a hands on demonstration to highlight the things to look for.
The session will be held on Friday, March 9, commencing at 5pm for approximately two hours.
The Mudgee Bee Group provides training, peer support and mentoring to it's members, both practising and aspiring beekeepers.
The group also keeps community bee hives to provide novice beekeepers with an opportunity to gain experience in handling bees and hands-on experience in starting and maintaining a hive.
If you would like more information about this evening's session or the Mudgee Bee Group please contact Claudia Wythes, Watershed Landcare Coordinator, on 0412 011 064 or claudia.wythes@watershedlandcare.com.au.
The Mudgee Bee Group is supported by Watershed Landcare and the Amateur Beekeepers Association and is a part of the NSW Government’s Local Landcare Coordinators Initiative, supported through the partnership of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW.
The Mudgee Bee Group and Watershed Landcare would also like to acknowledge support from AREC, for hosting the Mudgee Bee Group hives and providing a venue for meetings.