Ted Roberts (MAF Apicultural Advisor) was the guest speaker.
Ted outlined MAF's policy and approach to disease surveilance. MAF considered that the
industry's greatest threat came from mites - varroha (external) and acharine (internal).
While EFB exists in Australia, it is not a foregone conclusion that it will arrive in
New Zealand.
AFB elimination is a major objective of the industry, and MAF current policy is to
concentrate on high risk spots such as within 3 km of airports, seaports, rubbish dumps
etc. MAF encourages commercial and hobbyist beekeepers to inspect all other areas using
diseaseathons (four of which are scheduled for the 1996/97 season) etc. AFB can survive
for at least 45 years in feral hive locations. AFB incidence in feral hives is low
compared with cultivated hives, which indicates that beekeepers themselves are responsible
for spreading the disease.
Other diseases such as nosema, chalkbrood and sacbrood could be reduced if old black
comb was culled regularly, and it was suggested that 2 or 3 combs should be replaced every
year.
Salvage of wax from old black combs was not economic, however these combs made good
firelighters.
Beekeepers were warned of the risk of hive starvation in November although this was not
as likely in residential areas where a variety of food sources was usually available.
Swarm prevention was discussed with annual re-queening suggested as the primary
preventative measure. Also ensure plenty of room in broodnest.
