FairGo Policy
South Australian VarroaDestructor Policy
Introduction
South Australia faces an imminent threat from Varroa destructor, a parasitic pest devastating honey bee populations. Inadequate surveillance, limited treatment options, and unclear honey labeling undermine biosecurity and economic stability, leaving agriculture, horticulture, and apiculture vulnerable to significant harm.
The Problem
South Australia remains unprepared for the eventual incursion of Varroa destructor (varroa mite), a parasitic pest that has already spread across much of eastern Australia and devastated honey bee populations globally. Despite clear warnings from scientific authorities and industry stakeholders, South Australia has not fulfilled the commitments made under the 2015 National Bee Biosecurity Program, particularly the appointment of a Bee Biosecurity Officer for this State. Surveillance resources are inadequate, with limited personnel to inspect hive movements and no centralised office to coordinate preparedness, education, and incident response. Consultation with the sector has been ad hoc and confined to a small number of preferred organisations, leaving the majority of commercial and recreational beekeepers disengaged from planning processes. Regulatory barriers further undermine preparedness, as current law restricts access to effective non-synthetic treatments such as oxalic acid, even though such treatments are widely used overseas under safe and supervised conditions. Meanwhile, market conditions are eroded by the absence of clear distinctions between honey genuinely produced in Australia and imported honey merely “packed in Australia,” misleading consumers and disadvantaging local producers. Collectively, these deficiencies leave the State vulnerable to both biosecurity failure and economic harm across agriculture, horticulture, and apiculture.
The Solution
- Bee Biosecurity Officer
The Government will fulfil its outstanding obligation under the 2015 National Bee Biosecurity Program by appointing a dedicated Bee Biosecurity Officer for South Australia. This officer will serve as the accountable authority within PIRSA for surveillance, preparedness, and incident response. The role will include responsibility for coordinating extension services, overseeing compliance with biosecurity standards, and providing a single point of contact for industry and government. - Varroa Development Office
A specialised Varroa Development Office will be established within PIRSA to deliver training, technical guidance, and support services to beekeepers. The office will produce standard operating procedures, develop educational resources, and maintain demonstration apiaries to ensure that South Australian beekeepers are properly prepared to identify and manage varroa mite. This office will provide both in-person and digital training and will maintain a hotline for urgent inquiries. This will be a separate and dedicated education service. - Frontline Inspections and Surveillance
The State will increase the number of inspectors and biosecurity officers engaged in frontline operations. Additional personnel will be deployed at key entry points to South Australia and within regions of high hive movement to ensure rigorous inspections of consignments. Sentinel apiaries and randomised compliance audits will be expanded to improve detection capability and reduce the likelihood of an undetected incursion. - Incursion Delay Strategy
The Government will formally adopt a policy of delaying the incursion of varroa into South Australia for as long as practicable. This strategy will be implemented through risk-based movement restrictions, digital hive-movement declarations, and rapid containment protocols when detections occur interstate. By codifying this objective, the State will make clear that prevention remains its primary line of defense. We also accept that Varroa will spread in South Australia. NSW attempted to eradicate Varroa at great cost to the industry. This was ultimately unsuccessful and costly. Whilst a prevention and slowing of the spread should be properly resourced, this will be time limited. - Legislation and Enforcement
New legislative and regulatory provisions will be enacted to establish clear standards for hive identification, record-keeping, and movement reporting. Compliance with these standards will be enforced through a graduated approach, beginning with education and improvement notices, but escalating to penalties where breaches are repeated or deliberate. These measures will ensure that all participants in the industry are held to a uniform and enforceable standard. We will work towards codifying the Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice. - Whole-of-Sector Engagement
PIRSA will be required to engage and inform the entirety of the beekeeping sector, including commercial operators, recreational beekeepers, pollination contractors, and regional clubs. Consultation will not be confined to a small number of preferred peak bodies. Engagement will occur through an open register, a biannual state forum, and transparent publication of consultation outcomes. This will ensure decisions reflect the diversity of views across the sector. - Honey Labelling and Consumer Transparency
The Government will support reforms to labelling laws to require clearer distinctions between honey produced in Australia and imported honey merely “packed in Australia.” In the interim, South Australia will encourage the adoption of a voluntary state-based mark identifying 100 per cent Australian honey. These reforms will restore consumer confidence and protect domestic producers from unfair competition. We wish to see consistent use of the Australian Made Kangaroo Logo. - Inquiry into Treatment Chemicals
The Government will commission an independent inquiry into the accessibility and safety of chemicals available to beekeepers. The inquiry will assess both synthetic and non-synthetic treatments and will give particular consideration to an “Own Use Exemption” for substances such as oxalic acid, formic acid, and thymol. Such a framework, modelled on New Zealand’s legislative settings, would allow registered beekeepers to apply these treatments to their own hives under strict safety protocols, thereby providing cost-effective and sustainable options for varroa management.
Why This Works
These measures directly address the deficiencies currently placing South Australia at risk. The appointment of a Bee Biosecurity Officer and the creation of a Varroa Development Office will provide leadership, accountability, and a dedicated vehicle for beekeeper education and preparedness. Increasing frontline resources will materially strengthen surveillance and delay the entry and establishment of varroa within South Australia. A formal incursion delay strategy will codify the State’s commitment to prevention and provide a legal framework for restricting or conditioning hive movements. Updated legislation and enforceable standards will ensure compliance across the industry, avoiding a reliance on voluntary measures that have proven inadequate elsewhere. Broadening PIRSA’s consultation will democratise policymaking, ensuring that all sectors — commercial, hobbyist, and pollination contractors — are heard and that decisions reflect the diversity of industry views. Strengthening labelling laws will restore consumer confidence, allowing South Australians to support domestic producers through transparent purchasing choices. The proposed inquiry into chemical and non-synthetic treatments will provide an evidence base for reform and a pathway for beekeepers to safely access effective and affordable tools, thereby reducing reliance on costly or limited synthetic products. Together, these reforms create a holistic framework of prevention, preparedness, enforcement, and market integrity.
Expected Outcomes
The objective of this policy is to ensure that South Australia becomes the national leader in pollinator biosecurity by delaying the incursion of varroa for as long as possible, and by mitigating its impacts when it eventually arrives. The desired outcome is a beekeeping sector that is educated, equipped, and supported to manage the pest, with government structures in place to enforce compliance, provide guidance, and ensure transparency. Consumers will be able to purchase honey with confidence in its origin, while beekeepers will have access to safe and lawful treatment options that support sustainable practices. Most importantly, the broader agricultural and horticultural industries — which depend upon pollination services valued in the billions of dollars — will be protected from catastrophic disruption. This policy therefore delivers not only a defensive shield for South Australian agriculture, but also a platform for long-term sustainability, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.