More than 7,500 Western Australian beehives are on their way 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, said WA Agriculture and Food Minister, Jackie Jarvis.
“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,” said the Minister.
“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.”
The 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.
The WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development officers have completed health inspections and certification of participating apiaries prior to transport. Â
The hives are scheduled to arrive in SA ahead of the almond flowering period, when demand for bee pollination services is at its peak.
