Meetings are held on second Monday each month (except January), at above venue

PRESENT : Richard Hatfield (Pres.), Mary Ann Lindsay (Treas.), John Burnet (Sec.) and 26 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES : Cliff Hulston, Ray Baker, Marie & Chris Christoffel, Wrae Duncan, Jeff Pollard, Bob McGahan, Peter Ratcliffe.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING : Minutes of meeting held 8 May as detailed in June newsletter were confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING : Upper Hutt Science Festival : While Bill Allan & Les Solomon had volunteered to staff the Club stand on Thurs & Fri., volunteers were still required for Sat 22 July.

Varroa Bee Mite : Update from Frank Lindsay - the mite had been discovered as far south as Raurimu near National Park (a low infestation sourced from the main South Auckland apiary infestation). Estimate of eradication costs was now $50 - $60 million with $4 going to beekeepers as compensation for destroyed colonies. Beekeeper co-operation and control over hive movement would be essential. Cost estimate allowed for 7 outbreaks within one year. Bait stations would be set up every kilometre and all hives monitored within 5 km radius of each infestation. Possibility of introducing mite resistant bees from Asia. Mite has been identified as Varroa Destructii not V. Jacobsonii as first thought as V Jacobsonii can only reproduce on Apis Serana not Apis Mellifera.

CORRESPONDENCE : Secretary read Minister for Biosecurity’s letter of acknowledgment received in response to Club’s letter demanding eradication of the Varroa bee mite from NZ.

TREASURER’S REPORT : Working account balance $2,115.70. Other account balances were $3,119.81 (Goal Saver) and $429.33 (BL account).

GENERAL BUSINESS :

• Members were reminded of the necessity to submit written claims under the Club’s AFB compensation scheme before AGM next month.
• Ivan Pederson outlined contents of his letter to Russell Berry (Arataki Apiaries) expressing concern over delays in destroying mite infested hives.

PRESENTATION : Mary Bryne and her partner Andrew outlined the basis of the Anti-fluoride campaign and details of their research and correspondence with various Health authorities and the Regional Council. Their research indicated there were a number of likely health threats and no proven benefits justifying introduction of fluoride to town and city water supplies.

Meeting closed at 9.15 p.m. with usual supper.

John Burnet

Government has agreed in principle to a three-stage plan.

1. Immediate management (next 10 weeks)

Aim: To get a treatment programme underway while the interim management plan is finalised.

Actions: Beekeepers from all infested apiaries, and apiaries within a five kilometre radius of an infested apiary, will be offered treatment of hives with a registered chemical. A MAF contractor will administer the treatment and costs will be met by MAF.

2. Interim management (a two year Government supported management programme)

Aim: to ensure that the South Island remains free of Varroa for as long as possible, and that the effects of Varroa in the North Island are minimised.

Actions: MAF has prepared and released a draft operational plan for Varroa control to the industry for comment. It is proposed that MAF finalise this plan once industry comments have been received, and report back to Cabinet by the end of mid-September with firm proposals.

3. Long term management (beyond two years)

Aim: to ensure the effects of Varroa are minimised.

Actions: The Government considers that the complex issues associated with long term management of Varroa would be best considered in the context of developing long term management proposal under the Biosecurity Act 1993. Cabinet has approved additional funding to enable MAF to employ a facilitator to lead development of a long-term strategy. (Control at an apiary level - At an apiary level, control involves monitoring mite populations and treating infested hives with a registered chemical (or alternative organic treatment) which kills mites and leaves the hives intact.)

The long-term management plan will have similar legal status to regulations. The strategy sets up a pest management agency responsible for implementing the strategy and the basis for funding the strategy. The pest management agency is responsible for developing a detailed operational plan and providing an annual report to the Minister. The Government has approved funding for a facilitator to lead the process of developing a management plan for varroa.

The process of developing a management plan for Varroa would require explicit consideration of:

• the purpose for which Varroa was to be managed;
• an appropriate management agency;
• the benefits and costs of management options;
• the statutory powers required;
• what obligations would be placed on individuals; and
• appropriate funding arrangements including any compensation.

Because of the national significance of Varroa and the potential for conflicting industry interests, it is considered that the development of a management plan would be led by MAF in partnership with industry. Additional funding has been approved to enable MAF to employ a facilitator for the strategy. A management plan for Varroa would not preclude or necessarily require future Government involvement. Long-term varroa control at apiaries will involve monitoring mite populations and treating infested hives, which will kill the mites and leave the hives intact.

The cost of the response will depend to some extent on whether there is an incursion in the South Island and the extent to which Government pays for disease management. Preliminary estimates of the cost of a two-year interim Varroa control programme incorporates:

• research costs of $2 Million;
• a one-off South Island surveillance programme to confirm freedom from varroa, plus an on-going surveillance to monitor for incursions $10 Million;
• eradication of each incursion to the South Island $8 Million;
• North Island extension programmes, movement controls and quality systems $2 Million; and
• disease management (dependant on the extent of Government involvement) up to 17 Million.

There are currently no chemicals registered in New Zealand for the treatment of Varroa. In April the Minister of Agriculture instructed MAF to fast track the approvals process for chemicals to be used in beehives to treat Varroa. Approval of such chemicals is required under the Animal Products (Ancillary and Transitional Provisions) Act 1999. The process used to assess and approve chemicals under this legislation closely mirrors that for animal remedies or pesticides. Two products are going through the approval process. It is expected that one or both of these products will be available for use in July.

It is expected that beekeepers involved in providing pollination services will be able to successfully adapt to the presence of Varroa, because the profit margins in horticulture should enable the costs of Varroa management to be passed on. Small and medium sized beekeepers focussing on honey production may not be able to successfully adapt to the presence of Varroa, as the current profit margins for honey products are insufficient to meet treatment costs. Large sized honey producers will be assisted by economies of scale and are expected to adapt.

There are not expected to be any significant human health or environmental impacts from the control programme. Potential issues and necessary safeguards are being addressed during the statutory process of registering treatments for use. (MAF Agricultural Compounds unit facilitates this process and issues the registration).

Compensation is not expected to be a significant issue with the joint industry and Government response because the treatment regime leaves hives intact and productive.

Cabinet has asked MAF and the Ministry of Social Policy, in consultation with the beekeeping industry, to review the need for rural sector support measures, and report back to Government by the end of August 2000 with a proposal.

It is expected that the decision by Cabinet not to pursue eradication will be met with an angry response from some industry participants. In the end though eradication was simply not feasible, and we hope that once beekeepers have had an opportunity to consider the decision carefully, they will recognise this. The Government is committed to assisting industry to manage Varroa mite, and we will be looking to work in partnership with beekeepers to develop the best possible response. MAF will continue to work with beekeepers to further explain the Government's planned Varroa initiatives, and to finalise a control plan.

MAF has been asked for options on enhancing New Zealand's overall biosecurity. This will require MAF to undertake careful analysis of the range of existing and potential measures and ensure that any new proposals fit within the existing integrated risk management approach. An initial report is expected in about a month.

Industry representatives have participated in technical groups considering the economic impacts of Varroa, the technical feasibility of eradication and development of options for controlling the impacts of the mite. Industry has had an opportunity to make submissions on draft eradication and control plans. There have been meetings and conference phone calls to ensure that industry has been informed of key developments.

There should be minimal impact on pollination services as the management option enables viable hives to be available for pollination.

James Scott

The Varroa Treatment Headquarters is now in operation, with treatment of infected apiaries begining on Monday 7^th August.

The Headquarters is based at Ruakura, Hamilton, and is operated by AgriQuality New Zealand Ltd under MAF contract. Commercial beekeepers are subcontracted to assist the treatment programme.

All beekeepers with apiaries eligible for treatment have been contacted over the last week and provided information about the treatment and programme. Treatment is by consent, and beekeepers have been requested to return consent forms to the Headquarters.

Apiaries immediately eligible for treatment include:

• all apiaries in apiary districts that fall within the geographical boundaries of the Auckland, Pukekohe and Hauraki Plains infested clusters, defined by extending 5 km from the outermost positive apiary sites considered infected by natural spread;
• any other apiary site that returned a positive test during the delimiting survey, including the apiaries near Orewa, Helensville, Kumeu, Te Puke, Omanaia, Otorohonga, Te Awamutu, and Raurimu; and
• any hive that tests positive for varroa during the duration of the immediate assisted treatment programme.

Although the principal focus of the immediate programme is treatment, beekeepers can request testing of their apiaries by contacting the Varroa Treatment Headquarters (07 8385834, fax 07 8385794). Testing will be prioritised through risk assessment.

MAF Press Release - 4th August 2000

Bees know by instinct something that took humans centuries to realise: too much alcohol is bad for you and for your family. Scientists at the University of Queensland have observed bees getting drunk on nectar, which ferments at high temperatures. The bees can't find their way back to the hive, but bang into trees or simply fall to the ground, where they are taken by predators. Those that make it home are rejected by the guard bees at the entrance to the hive. They die of cold or are eaten by wasps.

Entomologist Dr Errol Hassan, working with Kenyan research student Andrew Kenya, says each bee secretes a chemical that allows bees to recognise each other. Possibly those returning drunk don't smell the same as when they left.

Even if they survive their binge, the hangover marks them for life. They can never work effectively again, and will die young. Even more serious, if they are accepted back into the hive and regurgitate the fermented nectar for other bees, the hive's food supply becomes "spiked". The result is a depleted population and reduced food for the winter.

Vicky Alexander

The AGM last month approved extension for another year of the club's programme to get as many of our members qualified as Approved Beekeepers by assisting them to prepare and submit an appropriate disease elimination conformity agreement (DECA) and then subsidising the competency exam under the PMS.

The club will use some of its AFB funds to meet the cost of the exam ($25.00) for members who have belonged since 1^st June 1999 (ie at least one full year of membership). This offer applies only to the first examination attempt. The club is expecting to run two courses this year for members to take the exam. Dates have not yet been set, but the first is expected in late spring, and the second will be in autumn.

If any club beekeepers would like assistance in preparing their "agreement" for submission to AgriQuality, please contact a committee member.

So far only about 40% of the club members have passed their competency test. The committee would like to se this figure doubled this year. Remember, that if you do not have a valid DECA, then you will need to get a certified beekeeper to inspect your hives and sign the required returns.

The Wellington Beekeepers maintained an exhibition stand at this fair over the period 20^th to 22^nd July. The displays were very popular with the visiting school children and other members of the public. Thanks must go to Bill Allan, Vicky Alexander, Les Soloman, Bernie Cox, James Scott, and of course Frank and MayAnn Lindsay for their efforts in promoting beekeeping in this way.

Winners of the mead competition held last month were:

• DryFritz Fuchs
• MediumAndrew Beach
• SweetBill Allan

Congratulations to these people, and a big thankyou to all who entered the competition. If anyone else is interested in making mead from their honey, please contact one of the above or a committee member and ask for assistance.

Pam McDowell is intending to host a weekend dedicated to discussion of topics related to sustainable lifestyles. These will include: water collection; grey water systems; solar power; passive solar energy; hydro power; composting toilets; energy efficient healthy houses; and perhaps solar ovens and mud stoves.

If this appeals to you, please ring Pam on 04-569 7134 to register interest.

The following people were elected to the committee of the Wellington Beekeepers at the AGM last month. Note: the full minutes of the AGM will be printed next July.

• PresidentFrank Lindsay478 3367
• Vice PresidentJames Scott565 0164
• Past PresidentRichard Hatfield528 7780
• SecretaryJohn Burnet232 7863
• TreasurerMary Ann Lindsay478 3367
• Committee:Bill Allan 938 1377
  Andrew Beach04-904 1634
  Vicky Alexander564 6254
  Wrae Duncan232 5560
• Librarian(s)Fritz Fuchs/Max Aston233 0300/568 3296
• NewsletterJames Scott and Vicky Alexander

We can all congratulate Richard Hatfield on his election as President of the National Beekeepers Association at their recent conference in Gisborne. This is a critical time for the organisation with the varroa mite putting the beekeeping industry in turmoil, while at the same time the NBA is facing major funding and support crises. Richard will need all the support he can get for this demanding appointment, but I am sure that he is able to lead the NBA and can count on the encouragement of the Wellington Beekeepers.