The start of the workshop consisted of several presentations on the importance of honeybee pollination within Australian agriculture, and some of the issues that threaten the sustainability of the industry. It was agreed that the two greatest threats to pollination services were an incursion of the exotic pest called Varroa destructor and the reduction in access to floral resources for beekeepers. The workshop also identified a number of areas where honeybee pollination services could be improved in order to increase the value of pollination to the agricultural industry.

Once the benefits and threats facing the honeybee pollination industry had been discussed, workshop participants set about collectively prioritising the issues and developing strategic directions. Seven key strategic directions were developed, which included (from most important to least important):

• establish an entity that has a research and development focus;
• develop the business skills of the honeybee industry;
• establish public and political support for the honeybee industry and pollination services;
• determine research and development priorities;
• increase communication and extension between pollination dependent industries;
• increase access to floral resources; and
• increase the viability of the honeybee industry.

Workshop participants then collectively developed a set of key outcomes and recommendations. These are presented on the following page. The outcomes and recommendations were also presented to Dr Peter O'Brien, Managing Director, RIRDC, and David Mortimer, Executive Manager, Foods and Agriculture, DAFF, on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

As evidence of the importance of these issues and the unity established in the workshop, it was also announced on the second day of the workshop that the almond industry (through Timbercorp and Macquarie Horticultural Services) will provide immediate capital to fund part of the strategies that have been developed within the workshop.

In closing off the workshop, participants agreed that the next step was to get RIRDC to develop a funding application in order to create the full proposal. In the first instance it is proposed that funding be sought through DAFF's Industry Partnerships Programme.

Key outcomes and recommendations from the workshop

• Establish a new national alliance for management of these issues:
• A national alliance to support the strengthening of pollination industry R&D, training and communication had strong buy-in from all present; and
• Horticulture is the fastest growing Australian agricultural sector. A secure and strong pollination industry has the ability to enhance this industry's productivity and profitability.
• The need for action to protect pollination services is urgent - beekeeping and pollination dependent industries are under prepared:
• Varroa mite is a food security issue that is on our doorstep. When present in Australia it will devastate the honeybee industry, as well as many horticulture, crop and pasture industries dependent on honeybee pollination valued at more than $3.8 billion;
• Australia must increase its beekeeping and grower skills and viability. The honeybee industry is poorly resourced to manage Varroa mite, it has low profitability levels and low capacity to respond to external shocks; and
• Quarantine is vital for the pollination industry and a replacement quarantine facility is required for Eastern Creek in Sydney.
• The public and private economic benefits of pollination services and their protection are compelling and the threats to these goods are real and immediate;
• A national alliance to advance key agreed workshop outcomes was proposed;
• The workshop's leaders (RIRDC) will obtain interim government and new industry funding to develop a considered proposal:
• The workshop's leaders will seek engagement of pollination-dependent industries and other public interests as represented at the workshop.
• A full strategic plan will be developed, and will include:
• a comprehensive risk management strategy;
• business delivery model development;
• research and development strategies;
• education and training strategy; and
• common messages and communication.
• Workshop leaders will then secure longer term funding for the proposal; and
• Agreement that public bene
 

Site map Contact us Feedback Links Disclaimer Privacy Statement

Last updated: January 2007
Copyright RIRDC
http://www.rirdc.gov.au/reports/HBE/07-067sum.html