General News
16 August, 2024
Local apiarist charged
A local large-scale commercial beekeeper has been found guilty of failing to manage American Foulbrood Disease (AFB) in their hives, prompting officials to remind apiarists about the importance of mandatory reporting and treatment.
AFB is a fatal bacterial disease of honey bee brood, and is not treatable.
The destruction of infected colonies and hives, or irradiation of infected material, is the only way to manage AFB.
Bacterial spores spread between hives and apiaries through equipment and movement of infected combs, and can also be spread by adult bees visiting from infected hives.
AFB spores can remain viable for over 50 years and are very resistant to freezing and high temperatures.
Agriculture Victoria prosecuted apiarist Sharon Oakley in Horsham Magistrates Court on August 4 on six charges under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 and Livestock Disease Control Regulations 2017.
The apiarist operation was heavily focused on pollination contracts, and hives were regularly moved between South Australia and Victoria.
The charges included a failure to notify Agriculture Victoria of the presence or suspicion of disease, failure to take action to control diseased hives, and exposing hives infected with disease, which allowed bees access to infected hives and increased the risk of spread.
Apiary Biosecurity manager Nikki Jones said the case should serve as a reminder of the importance of responsible beekeeping.
“American Foulbrood is an endemic, highly contagious, notifiable disease within Victoria that results in the death of the hive,” Ms Jones said.
“There is no treatment for AFB.
As the disease weakens the hive, it becomes susceptible to robbing by other colonies, resulting in the rapid spread of the disease within apiaries and to surrounding apiaries.
“Early detection and management of the disease is vital to reduce the risk of spread.”
Dating as far back as March 2022, Agriculture Victoria officers served isolation and destruction orders, and provided education on good biosecurity practices.
On one visit in 2023, inspection of hives revealed that 56 per cent of the 345 hives present were infected with AFB.
After failing to follow Agriculture Victoria’s direction to destroy the infected hives and hiveware, Agriculture Victoria disposed of the materials to manage the biosecurity risk to the industry.
The court found in favour of Agriculture Victoria, ordering the defendant to be of good behaviour for 12 months and pay a $500 fine.
The Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 states apiarists must notify Agricultural Victoria if they detect or suspect the presence of AFB in their hives immediately.
Other diseases such as European Foulbrood disease (EFB), Chalkbrood disease, and Nosema (Nosema apis) must be reported within seven days of detection or suspicion.
The detection or suspected detection of hive parasites or exotic species must also be reported immediately.
Regular and thorough inspections of hives, irradiation of secondhand or stored equipment, and general good hygiene around beehives is crucial to prevent the spread of pests and diseases which could cripple the industry.
More information on pests and diseases in beekeeping, and how to prevent them, can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website.