Beekeepers challenged as varroa mite arrives

DEAR editor,

It is estimated that one in three mouthfuls of food relies on European honey bees for pollination.

For most of us in Victoria, these are the bees that we see in our garden and this is where the honey that sits on your shelf comes from.

Australian beekeepers, and honey bees, are currently facing a crisis in the form of the varroa mite. This is a mite that has already spread across the globe and was first found in Australia in New South Wales in 2022.

Last month, varroa mite was reported in northern Victoria for the first time. The varroa mite has the potential to decimate large numbers of hives.

For the honeybee industry this is equivalent of foot and mouth in the livestock industry.

We have a huge feral, or wild, European honey bee population. It is not known exactly how much of our food crops in Victoria benefit or rely heavily on these wild honey bees but it is likely that the majority of the wild bee colonies will be decimated by varroa mite.

This, in addition to the loss of commercial bees and beekeepers from our industry, will have a huge impact on pollination, food production and food security in Victoria.

We are currently developing multiple plans in an effort to sustain our bees through this next challenge. Synthetic chemical treatments might seem like an easy solution but they bring complicated problems too.

The beekeeping industry is already feeling the impact and uncertainty of the coming season, after a dry winter.

This, coupled with the looming impact of the varroa mite, is weighing on many people as they make decisions about their livelihoods over the next few months and years.

When facing these immense challenges it can be easy to feel like it’s all too hard. We choose to see this as an opportunity to challenge ourselves and improve.

To do this we need the support of our local beekeepers, as well as everyone in the community. Use honey instead of sugar. Buy your honey from your local beekeeper and support local food producers.

Angela Enbom and Millie Enbom-Goad

Enbom Honeys

Dunnstown, Moorabool Shire