THE Department of Primary Industries has again reminded beekeepers to move their hives away from sites where chemical treatment of locusts hoppers is being undertaken.
State Controller for Locusts Russell McMurray said with spraying of both private and public land intensifying in many parts of north-west and north central Victoria, it was crucial that beekeepers kept their hives away from areas where chemical treatment of locusts was planned.
“Beekeepers are pivotal to Victoria’s agricultural sector and for that reason DPI is working with the beekeeping industry to ensure locust spraying operations this spring do not impact on their hives,” Mr McMurray said.
“Because chemicals being used to treat locusts this spring are often lethal to bees, it’s essential that beekeepers ensure their hives are placed in locations where spraying is not scheduled to take place.”
He said beekeepers should keep informed of where spraying was planned by monitoring the DPI website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/locusts and contacting the DPI Locust Hotline on 1300-135-559.
“They should also communicate with their fellow beekeepers and the peak industry body, the Victorian Apiarists Association, to keep up to date about spraying of locust hoppers on public land,” Mr McMurray said.
“Beekeepers should also communicate with landholders within 5km of their hives and encourage them to give notice of intended spraying operations to provide them with an opportunity to remove hives where necessary.”
Mr McMurray also said beekeepers should stencil a registered brand number and their contact details on their hives and place a standalone sign adjacent to hives.
Beekeepers who require alternative sites on public land for their hives should contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment Beekeeper Contact Officer on (03) 5051-4351.
Assistance with finding alternative sites can also be obtained by contacting the Victorian Apiarists Association on (03) 5484-9231 or the Victorian Farmers Federation Beekeepers Branch on (03) 5472-2161.
Victorian Apiarists’ Association President Elwyne Papworth said protecting beehives from locust spraying operations required close co-ordination between beekeepers, farmers and public agencies, including DPI and the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
“It is imperative that good communication between beekeepers, landowners, DPI and DSE and Parks Victoria staff is maintained,” Ms Papworth said.
“We must all work together to help reduce the risk of possible loss of hives, which would have a detrimental effect on the future pollination of food and agricultural crops.”