New research helps protect pollination-dependent industries
New research has been released that will help protect Australia’s pollination-dependent plant industries and provide a pathway for the honeybee industry to deal with potentially devastating pest outbreaks.
Three new research reports have been produced as part of the establishment of Pollination Australia, an industry alliance being developed with funding support from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) and Horticulture Australia Ltd.
Pollination services to industries such as almonds, apples, avocados and cherries are conservatively estimated to be worth at least $1.7 billion a year. Pollination is critical for dozens of horticultural crops, and is also important for pastures, fodder and some broad acre crops.
However these services are threatened by the potential incursion of the honeybee parasite, Varroa destructor which could wipe out feral populations of honeybees and significantly harm commercial hives, with flow on effects to pollination of valuable crops. Australia is currently one of the last remaining honey producing countries in the world free of the Varroa mite.
RIRDC’s General Manager, Established Industries, Margie Thomson, said the new research was a crucial step in the development of Pollination Australia, an alliance that will help build a commercial pollination industry and help protect Australian agriculture from enormous potential harm.
“These three reports – Biosecurity Risk Management, Research and Development Priorities and Education and Training – will help inform the development of a business plan for Pollination Australia,” Ms Thomson said.
“They help outline what needs to be done by the honeybee and horticultural industries to ensure we have viable pollination and honeybee industries in future, particularly in the event of a Varroa incursion.
“It includes information on training needs for beekeepers, risk management and mitigation in biosecurity, alternatives to honeybee pollination and the R&D that will need to be undertaken if we are to successfully develop a commercial pollination industry in this country.”
Ms Thomson said pollination-dependent industries are serious about addressing the potential threats and are working cooperatively in the development of Pollination Australia.
“The industries that will be affected by this potentially devastating biosecurity outbreak are currently developing a business plan to get Pollination Australia up and running.
“Without this plan there will be significant consequences for many of these industries, the rural communities that rely on them and ultimately all Australians,” Ms Thomson concluded.
The new reports are available at www.rirdc.gov.au
Media enquiries:
Danny O’Brien – RIRDC Communications Manager – 02 6271 4175 or 0438 130 445
Published on: 2008-05-12
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