Bee Industry Warns Varroa Battle Threatens Food Production

By Tim Howard

Commercial beekeepers across northern NSW say the battle against Varroa mite has entered a dangerous new phase, with the pest developing resistance to some of the industry’s most widely used treatments.

The warning comes as NSW Member for Clarence Richie Williamson has called on the state and federal governments to provide greater support for beekeepers, arguing the issue is no longer just about honey production but Australia’s food security.

Mr Williamson said Varroa mite was one of the most serious biosecurity threats facing Australian agriculture because honeybees play a critical role in pollinating fruit, vegetable, nut and seed crops.

“If we fail to get on top of it, the consequences will extend well beyond beekeepers—they will be felt throughout our agricultural sector and ultimately at the supermarket checkout,” he said.

The call follows confirmation that populations of Varroa mite resistant to both pyrethroid and amitraz-based treatments have been detected in NSW and south-east Queensland, reducing the effectiveness of some of the industry’s key chemical controls. Authorities continue to recommend rotating treatments and using integrated pest management to slow the spread of resistance.

Bee Services representative Min Fuller said commercial beekeepers were already seeing the effects.

“This is no longer a future threat—it’s happening now,” she said.

“Commercial beekeepers are losing colonies despite doing everything they’ve been told to do. The cost of treatments, the labour required to manage resistant Varroa, and the loss of honey and pollination income are pushing many businesses to breaking point.”

Mr Williamson said he had written to NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty seeking greater support for the industry, including federal approval for commercial beekeepers to self-administer organic treatments such as formic acid.

He said beekeepers needed affordable treatment options, financial assistance and quicker regulatory decisions.

Ms Fuller said grants to offset treatment costs, low-interest recovery loans and practical support were urgently needed to prevent more businesses leaving the industry.

“Without immediate support, more commercial beekeepers will leave the industry, reducing Australia’s pollination capacity and putting our food security at risk,” she said.

The NSW Nationals have pledged $300 million over five years for biosecurity measures if elected at the 2027 state election.

The growing concern over Varroa comes as Australia faces a series of biosecurity challenges, including the recent arrival of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on the Australian mainland, highlighting the increasing pressure on the nation’s agricultural industries.

NSW Government commits $9.5 million to strengthen beekeepers and crop pollination