12. SHANE ARDERN (National—Taranaki-King Country) Link to this
to the Minister for Biosecurity
How long does he estimate the varroa bee mite has been in the South Island, and why did surveillance not pick it up sooner, as it has been confirmed in at least 41 sites over a 40-kilometrearea?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR (Acting Minister for Biosecurity) Link to this
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry estimates that varroa bee mite arrived in the South Island about 9 or 10 months ago. The surveillance programme that detected it is conducted each year in May and June. The varroa was first found on 15 June this year.
Why did the Government not already have in place a funding approval for an attempted eradication of the varroa bee mite in the South Island, given that the Minister himself has stated that it was only a matter of time before the bee mite would reach the South Island, and we know from past experience in the North Island that delays in response eliminate the opportunity of eradication, and is there no one in this Government who is willing to make a decision, given that the Minister himself is overseas at the moment?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
I do not think it was ever accepted that it was inevitable. I think Biosecurity New Zealand and the bee-keeping industry tried very hard to keep varroa from the South Island. The pest management strategy that was agreed to by the industry had an annual monitoring programme, varroa was detected, and Biosecurity New Zealand has acted immediately on that. It has to clearly identify the extent to which varroa is present in the Nelson region, and a decision on whether eradication or management will take place will be made very soon.
R Doug WoolertonDo I take it from the Minister’s answer that he is absolutely sure that the varroa bee mite cannot be eradicated completely from the South Island?
Hon DAMIEN O'CONNOR Link to this
The full report is yet to be analysed by the Minister. I would love to think that eradication was possible. The reality is that unless every single bee-keeper and keeper of bees in the Nelson region is prepared to be part of a management or eradication programme, it is virtually impossible to guarantee absolutely that eradication can take place.