❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the biosecurity risk of Varroa mite following its detection in South Australia, probing DPIRD's preparedness, response plans, traceability system status, and resource allocation for bee biosecurity. The response outlines existing measures, collaborations, and ongoing efforts.
AnsweredQoN 793Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the confirmation of Varroa mite in South Australia that is impacting the state's beekeeping industry, and I ask: (a) What is the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) current assessment of the biosecurity risk posed by Varroa mite to Western Australia; (b) Following the confirmed detection of Varroa mite in South Australia, what immediate actions has DPIRD taken to mitigate the risk of incursion into Western Australia; (c) Has the Department conducted a revised biosecurity risk analysis specific to Varroa mite since its detection in South Australia: (i) If yes, will the Minister table that analysis; (d) What funding has been allocated by the State Government towards bee-related biosecurity in the 2025–26 financial year; (e) What is the Government’s current emergency response plan in the event that Varroa mite is detected in Western Australia; (f) What interjurisdictional protocols or agreements exist between Western Australia and other states regarding the detection, management or containment of Varroa mite; (g) What is the current status of the centralised and digital hive traceability system endorsed by DPIRD and partially funded by the Commonwealth; (h) Can the Minister confirm whether changes to state cybersecurity legislation are currently preventing the launch or implementation of the traceability system; (i) What steps is the Government taking to resolve legislative or regulatory barriers to the rollout of a digital hive traceability system in Western Australia; (j) Will the Government commit to providing the necessary financial investment to complete and launch the traceability system in partnership with industry; (k) What is the projected timeline for full implementation of the digital hive traceability system in Western Australia; (l) Will the system be mandatory for all beekeepers, including small-scale and recreational operators, once operational; (m) Has DPIRD consulted with the State Office of Digital Government regarding cybersecurity concerns associated with the proposed traceability system; (n) How will the system interface with national livestock traceability or biosecurity frameworks to ensure compatibility and avoid duplication; (o) How many departmental staff are currently dedicated to compliance and enforcement in the beekeeping industry; (p) What has been the Department’s response to repeated requests from industry for greater regulatory visibility and dedicated bee biosecurity officers; (q) How many inspections or audits of registered beekeeping operations have been undertaken in the past three years; (r) How many compliance breaches or infringements have been identified by DPIRD in the past three years in relation to hive movement, registration or disease management; (s) Does the Government have any plans to recruit additional biosecurity or compliance officers specifically for the apiculture sector; (t) What enforcement mechanisms are currently in place to ensure compliance with registration and hive health inspection requirements across all beekeepers; (u) Has DPIRD evaluated or piloted the early detection and surveillance technology developed by the Western Australian beekeeping industry; (v) What investment has the State Government made in bee-related early detection technologies or innovative surveillance tools since 2021; (w) Is DPIRD undertaking surveillance of wild and unmanaged honey bee colonies as part of its Varroa detection strategy; (x) What level of coordination currently exists between DPIRD and national biosecurity surveillance programs targeting Varroa mite; (y) Has the Department conducted any analysis or cost-benefit modelling of early detection versus management or eradication costs, in the event of an incursion; (z) Has the Department modelled the potential economic impact of Varroa mite incursion on Western Australia's pollination-dependent agricultural sectors; (aa) What contingency plans or support measures does the Government have in place to assist pollination-dependent industries such as almonds, avocados, canola, or berries, in the event of a Varroa incursion; (bb) Has the Government engaged with industry stakeholders from the horticulture, cropping and tree crop sectors regarding their pollination risks and mitigation strategies; (cc) How many recreational or hobbyist beekeepers are currently registered with DPIRD, and what is the Department’s estimate of the number of unregistered or unmonitored hives across Western Australia; and (dd) What communications or public education campaigns has DPIRD undertaken in the past 12 months to encourage hive registration and health monitoring by hobbyist beekeepers?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 October 2025
Responded by
Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
4 days
a-c) Varroa mite is a serious threat to the health of Western Australia’s (WA) European honey bee and related agricultural sectors. It is a prohibited organism under the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 (the Act).
Since the initial detection of varroa mite in New South Wales in 2022, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has implemented a range of measures to reduce the risk of incursion into WA, including:
- reviewing and reinforcing entry requirements for risk products
- establishing a dedicated working group to strengthen preparedness and response capability
- partnering with Plant Health Australia to deliver training to WA industry representatives
- educating WA beekeepers on effective surveillance practices and the importance of regular hive inspections
- collaborating with beekeepers and industry bodies to harmonise surveillance and response strategies.
DPIRD reviewed these measures following the recent detection in South Australia and concluded that existing measures remain appropriate.
d) DPIRD delivers an integrated biosecurity system, with activities for bee biosecurity delivered across pre-border, border and post-border activities. It is not possible to provide a single allocation for biosecurity activities relating only to bees.
e) DPIRD has a preparedness plan to respond to a potential detection of Varroa mite in WA. The plan is regularly reviewed and would be activated on confirmation of an incursion. Response actions under the plan would depend on the nature and scale of the detection and would be undertaken in consultation with WA’s peak industry bodies.
f) The National Varroa Mite Management Program establishes arrangements for an orderly transition to management, including industry capability building initiatives and slowing the spread.
g) DPIRD continues to work with the Bee Industry Council of Western Australia (BICWA) on options to support the delivery of this industry initiative.
h-k) Western Australian Government entities rely on secure technology to manage valuable information and infrastructure, provide public services and ensure business continuity. All applications that store or access government or citizen information are required to meet cyber security requirements.
DPIRD will continue to work with BICWA to consider the options for a hive traceability system.
l) Hive registration is currently mandatory.
m) The Office of Digital Government requirements are well understood.
n) Any proposed hive traceability would be separate to and independent of the National Livestock Traceability System.
o) DPIRD biosecurity staff undertake a range of roles to support state and national bee biosecurity matters, including:
- 4 full time equivalent officers with responsibility for surveillance and compliance in the beekeeping industry
- Quarantine WA officers undertaking interstate border related activities including compliance and inspection activities as part of WA’s strict quarantine requirements
- Biosecurity Compliance Officers and specialist compliance staff supporting investigation and enforcement action as required.
In addition to this, 5 Varroa Development Officers and one co-ordinator are delivering the National Varroa Mite Management Program in WA to enhance capacity and engage with beekeepers on best practice management.
p) DPIRD continues to support the bee industry through the funding and delivery of these dedicated bee biosecurity programs.
q) Over 3000 inspections.
r) Three infringement notices and 13 warning notices.
s) No.
t) Beekeeper registration and hive health inspection requirements in WA are enforced through a structured escalation process under the Act.
u) DPIRD continually investigates the efficacy of proven surveillance technologies.
v) Early detection is supported by general and specific surveillance by DPIRD and the beekeeping industry using available, proven technologies.
w) Yes.
x) DPIRD is well aligned with existing national surveillance programs for varroa mite including the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program, National Bee Biosecurity Program, and National Varroa Mite Management Program.
y-z) A national cost benefit analysis was undertaken as part of the varroa mite response. A State Pest Risk Assessment, completed by DPIRD, includes a qualitative assessment of pest threats, pathways, and potential consequences. It does not include economic impact modelling.
aa) Preparedness plans and support measures to assist pollination-dependent industries in the event of a varroa incursion are being developed as part of broader strategy of transition to management.
bb) Yes.
cc) WA has 4,499 registered beekeepers with 4,332 beekeepers considered recreational.
dd) Over the past 12 months DPIRD has delivered 4 email campaigns, 6 industry newsletter articles, 4 field day outreach stalls, 4 industry presentations, 5 social media posts, one media article and one factsheet on bee biosecurity.
Since the initial detection of varroa mite in New South Wales in 2022, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has implemented a range of measures to reduce the risk of incursion into WA, including:
- reviewing and reinforcing entry requirements for risk products
- establishing a dedicated working group to strengthen preparedness and response capability
- partnering with Plant Health Australia to deliver training to WA industry representatives
- educating WA beekeepers on effective surveillance practices and the importance of regular hive inspections
- collaborating with beekeepers and industry bodies to harmonise surveillance and response strategies.
DPIRD reviewed these measures following the recent detection in South Australia and concluded that existing measures remain appropriate.
d) DPIRD delivers an integrated biosecurity system, with activities for bee biosecurity delivered across pre-border, border and post-border activities. It is not possible to provide a single allocation for biosecurity activities relating only to bees.
e) DPIRD has a preparedness plan to respond to a potential detection of Varroa mite in WA. The plan is regularly reviewed and would be activated on confirmation of an incursion. Response actions under the plan would depend on the nature and scale of the detection and would be undertaken in consultation with WA’s peak industry bodies.
f) The National Varroa Mite Management Program establishes arrangements for an orderly transition to management, including industry capability building initiatives and slowing the spread.
g) DPIRD continues to work with the Bee Industry Council of Western Australia (BICWA) on options to support the delivery of this industry initiative.
h-k) Western Australian Government entities rely on secure technology to manage valuable information and infrastructure, provide public services and ensure business continuity. All applications that store or access government or citizen information are required to meet cyber security requirements.
DPIRD will continue to work with BICWA to consider the options for a hive traceability system.
l) Hive registration is currently mandatory.
m) The Office of Digital Government requirements are well understood.
n) Any proposed hive traceability would be separate to and independent of the National Livestock Traceability System.
o) DPIRD biosecurity staff undertake a range of roles to support state and national bee biosecurity matters, including:
- 4 full time equivalent officers with responsibility for surveillance and compliance in the beekeeping industry
- Quarantine WA officers undertaking interstate border related activities including compliance and inspection activities as part of WA’s strict quarantine requirements
- Biosecurity Compliance Officers and specialist compliance staff supporting investigation and enforcement action as required.
In addition to this, 5 Varroa Development Officers and one co-ordinator are delivering the National Varroa Mite Management Program in WA to enhance capacity and engage with beekeepers on best practice management.
p) DPIRD continues to support the bee industry through the funding and delivery of these dedicated bee biosecurity programs.
q) Over 3000 inspections.
r) Three infringement notices and 13 warning notices.
s) No.
t) Beekeeper registration and hive health inspection requirements in WA are enforced through a structured escalation process under the Act.
u) DPIRD continually investigates the efficacy of proven surveillance technologies.
v) Early detection is supported by general and specific surveillance by DPIRD and the beekeeping industry using available, proven technologies.
w) Yes.
x) DPIRD is well aligned with existing national surveillance programs for varroa mite including the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program, National Bee Biosecurity Program, and National Varroa Mite Management Program.
y-z) A national cost benefit analysis was undertaken as part of the varroa mite response. A State Pest Risk Assessment, completed by DPIRD, includes a qualitative assessment of pest threats, pathways, and potential consequences. It does not include economic impact modelling.
aa) Preparedness plans and support measures to assist pollination-dependent industries in the event of a varroa incursion are being developed as part of broader strategy of transition to management.
bb) Yes.
cc) WA has 4,499 registered beekeepers with 4,332 beekeepers considered recreational.
dd) Over the past 12 months DPIRD has delivered 4 email campaigns, 6 industry newsletter articles, 4 field day outreach stalls, 4 industry presentations, 5 social media posts, one media article and one factsheet on bee biosecurity.
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