- More than 7,500 Western Australian beehives bound for South Australia
- WA’s strong biosecurity measures protecting WA bees free from pests and diseases
- Major consignment to support almond pollination following interstate bee shortages
- Cook Labor Government’s commitment to diversifying the economy and supporting regional WA
More than 7,500 Western Australian beehives are being transported to South Australia to provide critical pollination services to the State’s almond industry.
It is one of the largest commercial consignments of live beehives to leave Western Australia in recent years and will help address a shortage of pollination services caused by the spread of varroa mite interstate.
Western Australia remains free from varroa mite and many other exotic bee pests and diseases found elsewhere in Australia.
Our local bee industry’s pest-free status reflects sustained action by the Cook Labor Government to protect the State’s biodiversity and agricultural industries, including strict border controls, targeted surveillance, early detection programs, industry partnerships, and regular inspections of hives and apiaries.
This commercial sale of live bees to SA has been supported by the Bee Industry Council of Western Australia (BICWA), which played a key role in connecting buyers with interested beekeepers.
The hives have been consolidated at three collection points – Donnybrook, Gingin, and Esperance – before being transported to SA.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers have completed health inspections and certification of participating apiaries prior to transport.
These inspections are critical to managing biosecurity risks when thousands of hives are brought together for large-scale pollination events.
The hives are scheduled to arrive in SA ahead of the almond flowering period, when demand for bee pollination services is at its peak.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“More than 7,500 WA beehives heading to South Australia is a strong vote of confidence in the health and quality of our bees.
“Western Australian bees are already renowned for producing some of the world’s finest honey, and now they will play an important role supporting South Australia’s almond industry.
“Our government will continue working closely with industry and the thousands of registered beekeepers across the State to strengthen biosecurity and protect Western Australia’s unique biodiversity.
“I encourage every beekeeper to inspect their hives regularly and immediately report anything unusual, because early detection remains our best defence against exotic pests and diseases.”
