CHANGES in policy, internal confusion by departmental restructures and lack of co-ordination by the state's multiple land management agencies are blamed for NSW beekeepers being shut out from long-held apiary sites.
Gol Gol apiarist and pollination contractor Trevor Monson received a letter from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) last week informing him that a 30-kilometre section of Murrumbidgee River frontage would no longer be available for beekeeping activities.
Mr Monson has been using the area to run his hives for the past 30 years.
"We had a long-standing arrangement with the previous owner while it was private property," Mr Monson said.
"Now NPWS is saying that, because it was private land, they can't renew our beekeeping licence for the area even though beekeeping is permitted in some National Parks."
Under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, beekeeping licences can be renewed in some national parks where activities were occurring before the land was reserved, providing certain conditions are met.
Mr Monson said he was looking at a total loss of honey production from that area if he couldn't gain access to those sites.
"Because these tree species flower in summer and have high-quality pollen, we can use them to make sure our hives are healthy and strong through autumn and winter," he said.
"So by the time spring comes along, the bees can do a good job pollinating other crops.
"If I can't get access to River Redgum and Blackbox any more, I'll have to feed the hives supplementary protein over winter to keep them in good enough condition to provide pollination services."
Mr Monson's experience isn't an isolated example, according to NSW Apiarists' Association outgoing president Casey Cooper.
"Beekeepers are suffering increasing uncertainty and losing access to apiary sites on public lands all over the state."
