- Crisafulli Government delivers half a million-dollar investment to manage varroa mite.
- Final round of Community Bee Innovation Fund announced for six projects delivering research into varroa mite management and training and preparedness for beekeepers.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy after a decade of decline under Labor.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering stronger biosecurity and home-grown research to combat varroa mite through the final round of Community Bee Innovation Fund (CBIF) grants.
Queensland’s beekeepers and pollination-reliant industries are set to benefit from the $500,000 fund with six new projects announced to tackle the challenges posed by varroa mite.
It’s just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy by supporting projects that provide innovative and industry-led solutions to safeguard Queensland’s beekeeping and pollination sectors.
For a decade, former Labor Governments failed to invest in the biosecurity systems that protect Queensland’s food security and economy.
The Crisafulli Government committed to beefing up biosecurity by recruiting 100 more biosecurity officers across the State this term, investing in industry and community preparedness and support to manage existing biosecurity challenges like varroa mite because biosecurity is the linchpin of profitable primary industries.
The successful round three recipients are:
- Nursery & Garden Industry Qld Ltd – Providing an educational tour of a production nursery to improve preparedness and management of varroa mites within pollination-reliant horticultural systems.
- Team-Australia Group Pty Ltd – Running practical varroa mite workshops for beekeepers, pollination-reliant industries and community stakeholders.
- University of the Sunshine Coast (1) – Investigating and testing spider venom-derived peptide formulations for their potential to provide targeted control of varroa mites in honeybee colonies.
- University of the Sunshine Coast (2) – Conducting research to develop precision double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) solutions that selectively target varroa mites without harming honey bees.
- Southern Beekeepers Association (Queensland) Inc. – Offering free training and workshops on varroa mite management and resistance.
- Queensland Beekeepers Association Inc. – Developing six regional varroa mite management plans and providing 20 individualised varroa mite treatment planning consultations.
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the funding would strengthen Queensland’s bee biosecurity and increase the resilience of bee-related businesses against the impacts of varroa mite.
“It’s a very challenging time for Australian apiarists and the fruit and vegetable growers who need pollination services, but this funding is supporting vital research which could provide a solution to resistant varroa mites,” Minister Perrett said.
“The Community Bee Innovation Fund is also delivering educational projects that will help our beekeepers and pollination-reliant industries navigate the challenges presented by varroa mite.
“The Fund has already delivered real benefits to Queensland’s beekeeping and pollination-reliant industries, with previous projects providing vital resources, training and education to hundreds of beekeepers and community members.”
This funding is in addition to the significant support being provided to industry through Biosecurity Queensland, which hosted an Emergency Varroa Round Table this week.
Associate Professor Volker Herzig from the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) said his research exploring spider venom was an exciting opportunity to explore new options for varroa mite management.
“UniSC-led research has discovered spider venom contains an ingredient that could lead to a new treatment that protects honey bees from the deadly varroa mite,” Dr Herzig said.
“We identified peptides, in the venom of the Tasmanian cave spider and the Giant Japanese funnel-web spider, that kill the parasitic mites without harming the bees.
“Our discovery is the first step in finding a new, environmentally friendly way to combat the mites, which are destroying honey bee colonies across the globe.
“The grant will help us assess the viability of developing the peptides into a commercial, sustainable treatment for varroa mite infestations in honey bee hives.”
Professor Robert Harvey, Chair in Pathophysiology and Associate Dean (Research), School of Health from the University of the Sunshine Coast said his research would potentially target varroa mites without effects on honey bees.
“With varroa mites becoming increasingly resistant to existing chemical pesticides, we are exploring alternative ways to combat them,” Dr Harvey said.
“One new technology is RNA-based pesticides that switch off specific genes that mites need to survive, without creating genetically modified organisms.
”Our research group is exploring a strategy that targets key genes required for the mite’s nervous system or muscles.
“These target the same receptors and ion channels affected by existing chemical miticides, but RNA-based treatments will provide greater specificity and will not harm honeybees and other beneficial insects.”
