Stop the NSW Government from killing bees and destroying beekeepers’ livelihoods
Stop the NSW Government from killing bees and destroying beekeepers’ livelihoods
The issue
The NSW Department of Primary Industries are killing millions of bees across the state, destroying the businesses of beekeepers and their families.
Even though the DPI admits that eradication of Varroa mite has consistently failed across the world wherever it has been attempted, they have gone ahead with this drastic strategy without transparency on their modelling.
We call on the NSW DPI to release the modelling underpinning their strategy, specifically the scientific evidence explaining their extreme and impractical actions. Beekeepers whose livelihoods have been significantly impacted and the wider community, deserve to know on what basis these actions have been taken.
As a matter of urgency, we call on the NSW DPI to stop killing bees, especially uninfected bees, as well as change their policy and assist beekeepers in protecting our bees from Varroa mite and saving small businesses.
Dolfi is one such beekeeper who, like many others, received a notice that his bees would be killed as part of a callous response to the outbreak of Varroa mite, a response that disregards more humane options. This is also despite the fact that his bees are not infested with the mite.
There are proven ways to treat Varroa mite through mechanical and safe chemical methods (read more below), without killing bees, used all over the world for decades. Killing bees is not the solution.
Sydney-local Dolfi has 60 healthy hives located in Jilliby on the Central Coast, and has been beekeeping for many years, carrying on the work of his father and his grandfather. Dolfi has invested many years of hard work establishing a successful small boutique business, producing and selling quality honey, with many loyal customers.
The work of beekeepers like Dolfi also supports Australia’s unique natural landscape, pollinating native plants to support wildlife, as well as supporting the crops of farmers. Beekeeping is his passion and livelihood as a small business owner.
Heartlessly, the NSW Department of Primary Industries has ordered for Dolfi’s healthy bees to be destroyed on the 7th of October.
We demand that the NSW Government…
1. Release the modelling and scientific evidence underpinning the eradication strategy and their actions on the ground
2. Stop the killing of healthy bees and all killing of honeybees in NSW
3. Make safe treatment methods and training available to all beekeepers
4. Provide better financial support for beekeepers already affected
5. Roll back restrictions which significantly restrict beekeepers from re-establishing hives
We would appreciate your help by signing this petition.
With immense gratitude,
Chaya, on behalf of Dolfi and his family
What is Varroa mite?
-
Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are serious parasites to honeybees worldwide when not treated. When treated, Varroa is a minor problem, with minimal effect on bees.
-
Varroa mites are not nearly as dangerous as other parasites already present in Australia such as the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida).
-
Varroa have been found throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and New Zealand, and have now been identified in Australia for the first time.
-
Varroa has been safely managed in all other parts of the world for decades.
What is the NSW Government doing?
Killing bees
-
Thousands of hives in NSW have already been or or are scheduled to be “euthanised”, meaning millions of bees will be killed.
-
Healthy bees in nominated eradication zones are also being killed.
Not supporting beekeepers
-
The path to re-establish beekeepers’ businesses is rife with challenges as under the emergency order there are significant restrictions on movements of queens, bees and hives.
-
Under the order, beekeepers won't be able to have bees in the same location or anywhere within the eradication zone for at least the next 3 years.
-
The financial reimbursement program for commercial beekeepers who lost their hives is totally inadequate. It is based on unrealistic assumptions including the ability to start reproducing honey within 3 months – something that would actually take years.
Destroying small businesses
-
Killing all of these hives will destroy many beekeepers’ business across the state.
-
Hives that have been inspected and proven to not be infected are still being killed.
-
Despite requests, the DPI has not communicated on how to appeal the decision.
-
It can take years to establish new locations for hives and for them to be fully operational.
-
The damage would be irreparable to the lives of beekeepers and their families.
Acting carelessly
-
The response to the outbreak has been riddled with problems that may be exacerbating the outbreak of Varroa.
-
Varroa mite infection in bees can be treated through mechanical methods such as trapping, and safe chemical methods such as acids and miticides. There is no need to heartlessly kill millions of bees. To learn more about Varroa mite treatments from credible sources, see the links below.
-
Properties within the eradication zone were visited by commercial beekeepers working on behalf of the DPI. These visitors arrived in dirty trucks and without protective clothing, potentially spreading the mite further.
-
Killing hives will not eradicate Varroa, as there are always some bees that are outside of the hive. Surviving bees that then go to find another hive have the potential to carry the mite further.
What needs to change?
-
We call on the NSW Government to release details of the modelling and scientific evidence underpinning the eradication strategy and their actions on the ground
-
Change their policy and assist beekeepers in saving their bees and their businesses
-
Stop the killing of healthy bees and all killing of honeybees in NSW
-
Make safe treatment methods and training available to all beekeepers
-
Provide better financial support for beekeepers already affected
-
Roll back restrictions which significantly restrict people from re-establishing hives
Read the emergency order here:
https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2022_2022-389.pdf
https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2022_2022-426.pdf
Read academic articles which explain multiple treatment options for Varroa here:
https://extension.psu.edu/methods-to-control-varroa-mites-an-integrated-pest-management-approach
Read articles which explain why Varroa is not the danger it has been made out to be, and that honeybees in Australia will survive with Varroa if it is managed here:
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=20360
36,902
The issue
The NSW Department of Primary Industries are killing millions of bees across the state, destroying the businesses of beekeepers and their families.
Even though the DPI admits that eradication of Varroa mite has consistently failed across the world wherever it has been attempted, they have gone ahead with this drastic strategy without transparency on their modelling.
We call on the NSW DPI to release the modelling underpinning their strategy, specifically the scientific evidence explaining their extreme and impractical actions. Beekeepers whose livelihoods have been significantly impacted and the wider community, deserve to know on what basis these actions have been taken.
As a matter of urgency, we call on the NSW DPI to stop killing bees, especially uninfected bees, as well as change their policy and assist beekeepers in protecting our bees from Varroa mite and saving small businesses.
Dolfi is one such beekeeper who, like many others, received a notice that his bees would be killed as part of a callous response to the outbreak of Varroa mite, a response that disregards more humane options. This is also despite the fact that his bees are not infested with the mite.
There are proven ways to treat Varroa mite through mechanical and safe chemical methods (read more below), without killing bees, used all over the world for decades. Killing bees is not the solution.
Sydney-local Dolfi has 60 healthy hives located in Jilliby on the Central Coast, and has been beekeeping for many years, carrying on the work of his father and his grandfather. Dolfi has invested many years of hard work establishing a successful small boutique business, producing and selling quality honey, with many loyal customers.
The work of beekeepers like Dolfi also supports Australia’s unique natural landscape, pollinating native plants to support wildlife, as well as supporting the crops of farmers. Beekeeping is his passion and livelihood as a small business owner.
Heartlessly, the NSW Department of Primary Industries has ordered for Dolfi’s healthy bees to be destroyed on the 7th of October.
We demand that the NSW Government…
1. Release the modelling and scientific evidence underpinning the eradication strategy and their actions on the ground
2. Stop the killing of healthy bees and all killing of honeybees in NSW
3. Make safe treatment methods and training available to all beekeepers
4. Provide better financial support for beekeepers already affected
5. Roll back restrictions which significantly restrict beekeepers from re-establishing hives
We would appreciate your help by signing this petition.
With immense gratitude,
Chaya, on behalf of Dolfi and his family
What is Varroa mite?
-
Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) are serious parasites to honeybees worldwide when not treated. When treated, Varroa is a minor problem, with minimal effect on bees.
-
Varroa mites are not nearly as dangerous as other parasites already present in Australia such as the small hive beetle (Aethina tumida).
-
Varroa have been found throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, and New Zealand, and have now been identified in Australia for the first time.
-
Varroa has been safely managed in all other parts of the world for decades.
What is the NSW Government doing?
Killing bees
-
Thousands of hives in NSW have already been or or are scheduled to be “euthanised”, meaning millions of bees will be killed.
-
Healthy bees in nominated eradication zones are also being killed.
Not supporting beekeepers
-
The path to re-establish beekeepers’ businesses is rife with challenges as under the emergency order there are significant restrictions on movements of queens, bees and hives.
-
Under the order, beekeepers won't be able to have bees in the same location or anywhere within the eradication zone for at least the next 3 years.
-
The financial reimbursement program for commercial beekeepers who lost their hives is totally inadequate. It is based on unrealistic assumptions including the ability to start reproducing honey within 3 months – something that would actually take years.
Destroying small businesses
-
Killing all of these hives will destroy many beekeepers’ business across the state.
-
Hives that have been inspected and proven to not be infected are still being killed.
-
Despite requests, the DPI has not communicated on how to appeal the decision.
-
It can take years to establish new locations for hives and for them to be fully operational.
-
The damage would be irreparable to the lives of beekeepers and their families.
Acting carelessly
-
The response to the outbreak has been riddled with problems that may be exacerbating the outbreak of Varroa.
-
Varroa mite infection in bees can be treated through mechanical methods such as trapping, and safe chemical methods such as acids and miticides. There is no need to heartlessly kill millions of bees. To learn more about Varroa mite treatments from credible sources, see the links below.
-
Properties within the eradication zone were visited by commercial beekeepers working on behalf of the DPI. These visitors arrived in dirty trucks and without protective clothing, potentially spreading the mite further.
-
Killing hives will not eradicate Varroa, as there are always some bees that are outside of the hive. Surviving bees that then go to find another hive have the potential to carry the mite further.
What needs to change?
-
We call on the NSW Government to release details of the modelling and scientific evidence underpinning the eradication strategy and their actions on the ground
-
Change their policy and assist beekeepers in saving their bees and their businesses
-
Stop the killing of healthy bees and all killing of honeybees in NSW
-
Make safe treatment methods and training available to all beekeepers
-
Provide better financial support for beekeepers already affected
-
Roll back restrictions which significantly restrict people from re-establishing hives
Read the emergency order here:
https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2022_2022-389.pdf
https://gazette.legislation.nsw.gov.au/so/download.w3p?id=Gazette_2022_2022-426.pdf
Read academic articles which explain multiple treatment options for Varroa here:
https://extension.psu.edu/methods-to-control-varroa-mites-an-integrated-pest-management-approach
Read articles which explain why Varroa is not the danger it has been made out to be, and that honeybees in Australia will survive with Varroa if it is managed here:
https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=20360
36,902
The Decision Makers
Petition created on 2 October 2022