New Zealand Bee Industry Group Chairman Milton Jackson is urging South Island beekeepers to make submissions to the Minister of Agriculture in support of the proposed Varroa Pest Management Strategy (PMS).

Before Christmas 2003 the Minister of Agriculture notified the proposal for the Varroa Pest Management Strategy with the objective of maintaining the South Island varroa free and called for submissions closing on 30 January.

“This proposal is a great insurance policy for the South Island. The bee industry is being asked to meet about one third of the cost of the proposal. To spend about $2.00/hive to keep varroa out of the South Island for a long as possible is a lot better than $25.00 plus/hive in treatment when varroa arrives.

Keeping the South Island free will ensures that South Island continues as a back-stop for ‘clean’ bee supplies for the North Island.

“Without a PMS there is no possibility of continuing to use Cook Strait as a movement boundary and putting in place a robust surveillance programme. Our primary industry partners and regional government in the South Island understand the value of bees to the economy through pollination. The PMS is a great example of the South Island pulling together for a common good.

“I urge all interested South Islanders, not just beekeepers, to make a submission in support of the proposal,” concluded Mr Jackson.