Cropping up a buzz for hive safety

This was a key message raised at a recent Canberra symposium highlighting the correct use of pesticides was a key part of ensuring healthy beehives.

Organised by Plant Health Australia, the symposium was sponsored by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority, the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation and the Grains Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC).

The symposium also represented something of a first, according to Plant Health Australia general manager of risk management Rod Turner.

“This meeting was significant in the fact we had beekeepers, the honey industry, grain and horticulture producers, chemical companies, and rural bodies together in the same place to discuss this issue,” he said.

Mr Turner said one of the key findings of the symposium was that if pesticides were used responsibly, the risk to the bee industry was small.

He said beekeepers needed to let farmers know if they moved their hives closer to a crop, while at the same time farmers should be aware of any hives near their properties.

As an example, Batlow apple producer Ralph Wilson gave a presentation outlining how important bees were to pollinating his crop, while at the same time highlighting the importance of spraying for aphid management.

Mr Wilson set about consulting with beekeepers to spray at times when bees would not be affected.

“I think communication is happening, but there are examples where it does break down,” Mr Turner said.

“There are some examples, which are rare events, of spray drift which have taken out 50, 80 or 100 hives at a time.

“But because bee producers are scattered across the country, it doesn’t affect the whole industry as such.”

He said he had heard of a spray drift incident which took place at Moree in the past 12 months which had affected hives, and had occurred as result of miscommunication between the grower and the beekeeper.

RIRDC senior research manager Dr Dave Alden, Canberra, said communication between growers and beekeepers was always a good thing.

“For me, another important outcome (of the symposium) was that it is clear there is a lack of data in Australia about any residues that may be associated with insecticides,” Dr Alden said.

As such, he said the RIRDC honey bee and pollination advisory committee were keen to conduct a study to examine any residues that came off canola crops after bees had been pollinating.

The study would examine potential implications when bees brought pollen back to the hive, and any effect chemical residue may have on the honey.

He said this would be similar to a study carried out in the US, and it was important to have Australian data on this issue.

When it came to farm management, he said it was important the label requirements for the chemical’s use were met to ensure no mishaps.

“It is important not only the beekeepers are getting the bees ready for good pollination services, but also that the farmers and horticulturists are keeping dialogue open to allow for pollination,” he said.

The meeting, held in April, followed on from the release of an Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority report on neonicotinoid insecticides which found bee colony losses could be minimised if chemicals were used correctly.

NSW Apiarists’ Association secretary Kate McGilvray, Mudgee, said pesticides were set to be a major issue at next week’s annual conference, to be held on Thursday and Friday in Narrabri.

In addition, she said the conference would hear updates on the Chinese and US bee industries, while groups including Cotton Australia, the Environmental Protection Agency and Santos would also be attending.