❓ Dr. Brian Walker asks the Minister for Agriculture and Food about research into the relationship between hemp plants and bee populations in WA, particularly in light of a recent native bee discovery. The Minister acknowledges the question and states that while no specific research has been done on hemp and bees, the department does monitor bees for biosecurity purposes.
AnsweredQoN 69Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
HEMP — BEES —
RESEARCH
69. Hon
Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer the minister to the recent
welcome news that a new species of native bee, Leioproctus zephyr , has
been discovered right here in Perth's Kings Park and named by Dr Kit Prendergast
from Curtin University. Given the importance of pollinator-friendly crops to
the maintenance of bee colonies across our state, I ask the following.
(1) Is the
minister aware that the bee's relationship to the hemp plant has been
described as ''nothing less than a beautiful love story'', with
recent research in the journal of the Entomological Society of America showing
a solid correlation between high numbers of hemp plants and the abundance and
diversity of bees visiting them?
(2) Has any
research been undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development to monitor bee populations in and around our own hemp-producing
areas in Western Australia; and, if not, will the minister consider
commissioning such research, given the pivotal role that a healthy bee
population plays across our entire ecosystem?
RESEARCH
69. Hon
Dr BRIAN WALKER to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer the minister to the recent
welcome news that a new species of native bee, Leioproctus zephyr , has
been discovered right here in Perth's Kings Park and named by Dr Kit Prendergast
from Curtin University. Given the importance of pollinator-friendly crops to
the maintenance of bee colonies across our state, I ask the following.
(1) Is the
minister aware that the bee's relationship to the hemp plant has been
described as ''nothing less than a beautiful love story'', with
recent research in the journal of the Entomological Society of America showing
a solid correlation between high numbers of hemp plants and the abundance and
diversity of bees visiting them?
(2) Has any
research been undertaken by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development to monitor bee populations in and around our own hemp-producing
areas in Western Australia; and, if not, will the minister consider
commissioning such research, given the pivotal role that a healthy bee
population plays across our entire ecosystem?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) No, but I thank the member for
bringing that to my attention.
(2) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development undertakes
surveillance activities on bees for biosecurity purposes to monitor for exotic
pest incursions and colony health. In Australia, hemp is predominantly a wind-pollinated
crop. Insects are not required in the pollination process.
some notice of the question.
(1) No, but I thank the member for
bringing that to my attention.
(2) The
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development undertakes
surveillance activities on bees for biosecurity purposes to monitor for exotic
pest incursions and colony health. In Australia, hemp is predominantly a wind-pollinated
crop. Insects are not required in the pollination process.
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