Australia’s $80 million honey industry was abandoned by Labor today (Monday) when Government Senators refused to support a motion calling for an eradication program for the Asian bee.
The motion was put forward by Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck and called for the Government to develop, coordinate and implement a program to eradicate the Asian bee (Apis cerana).
The Asian bee was discovered near Cairns, Queensland, in May 2007. The Federal Government will cease funding for an eradication program next week despite pleas from the honey industry and agricultural sectors for it to continue.
“Labor is hiding behind bureaucracy and technicalities,” Senator Colbeck said.
“The eradication of Asian bee from Australia is a matter of willingness but the Government is not willing to commit resources for the task.
“I reject entirely the Government’s argument for not supporting the motion – their reasons are a complete crock!
“Labor has shown flagrant disregard for the honey industry and for agricultural sectors reliant on pollination.
“Australia’s honey industry, built off the European honeybee, estimates its current value at $80 million.
“Labor is ignoring warnings from industry – and from a leading CSIRO expert – that the Asian bee will spread throughout Australia and decimate honey hives.
“When the Asian Bee was introduced to the Solomon Islands in 2003 it eliminated feral colonies of European honey bees and managed hives went from 2000 to just five by 2008.
“In addition to the honey industry, Labor is putting at risk $4 billion worth of Australian crops which are reliant on pollination services.
“The Asian bee also has the capacity to devastate Australia’s native bee and it poses a serious threat to biodiversity through negative impacts on native flora and fauna.
“The eradiation of the Asian bee from Australia is a major agricultural productivity and biodiversity issue and I urge the Labor Government to reconsider and to work cooperatively with the honey industry and affected agricultural sectors,” Senator Colbeck said.
