Who is the report targeted at?
The report is targeted at potential investors in the ‘Pollination Australia’ industry alliance.

Background
Pollination of Australian crops by European honeybees is largely taken for granted – pollination being provided by European honeybees managed for honey production or by feral European bees. About 20% of hives are currently used for paid pollination services.

Many horticultural crops are highly reliant on European honeybees. Some pasture species and broadacre crops are reliant to a varying degree on honeybees for pollination.

Several issues threaten to upset traditional relationships between beekeepers and producers.

The prospective marked increase in demand for managed pollination services will result in some producers having to pay for pollination services and, relative to the current prices, pollination service charges will increase substantially. Even though these higher prices would encourage expansion of the industry, there are likely to be constraints to the rate of industry expansion, especially recognising the time and resources required to train and equip additional beekeepers.

In seeking to establish Pollination Australia, studies were commissioned to identify the scope and funds needed to address potential biosecurity risks, research and development and education and training. This document is the research and development study outcome. A business plan is being developed for Pollination Australia which includes findings from all three research projects.

Aims/objectives
The objectives of this study were to:

• investigate current R&D into Varroa mite and its control, and other exotic (and endemic) pests and diseases which could potentially impact on the pollination industry
• investigate current R&D into beehive health, production, ecology (environment), climate change, stock improvement and biotechnology
• investigate the effectiveness of paid pollination services
• investigate use of alternative pollinators to European honeybees
• develop a list of priorities for R&D within the Australian pollination industry.

The goal of R&D investment was:

• To provide a framework to shape and prioritise future research, development and extension that will secure the pollination of Australia’s horticultural and agricultural crops into the future.

Methods used
The study required review of the current scientific literature, preparation of a project discussion paper, consultation with research providers and other stakeholders, a priority identification workshop, project development and costing.

Results/key findings
The research, development and extension projects that will drive Pollination Australia, their expected cost and priority order are outlined below:
 

1. Surveillance best practice – research to ensure Varroa or a similar catastrophic pest or disease incursion does not destroy our primary pollinator (the European honeybee). This will include research into sentinel hive and baited hive best practice, development of appropriate surveillance monitoring, sampling, reporting and incentive systems for incorporation into BQual, and development of materials and systems to engage amateur beekeepers in Varroa identification and reporting. (A total cost of $370,000)

2. Resource access – landscape management for pollinatioN. Through a suite of research initiatives ensure that floral resources are available to honeybees to permit the ‘build-up’ of hive strength prior to providing pollination services. Research initiatives will include the investigation of New Zealand hive ‘build-up’ practices, improved artificial diets, ‘bee farms’, revegetation, alliances with timber companies and the encouragement of native pollinators.

This project will also include social/political science research to understand community attitudes to introduced species in protected areas. Further investment in ecological data that may show bees have no impact in native forests is not proposed. ($200,000 pa for five years)

3. Improving the economics of pollination – investigate opportunities for improving productivity performance in pollination in view of forecast growth in pollination demand, especially in horticulture. Complete outstanding research on a prioritised crop-by-crop basis that will demonstrate the economic advantage of moving from current pollination to optimal pollination and the losses that will be incurred from a Varroa, or similar, incursioN. Review further opportunities for productivity improvement in pollination resulting from Varroa management.

Complete research to understand the role of feral bees/incidental pollination on a regional crop/pasture basis especially in relation to broadacre crops. Outputs from this research are to be used in an education and communication campaign to ‘sign up’ Australian plant industries to the Pollination Australia alliance. (A total cost of $150,000)

4. Pest and disease management to ensure the ongoing supply of pollination services – protect the European honeybee through research into diagnostics, biosecurity plans, hive tracking and an associated national database, bee breeding, pest and disease management under pollination conditions, understanding Nosema ceranae and Colony Collapse Disorder and being responsive to other pest and disease threats as they emerge. The major thrust of this project will be research into the production of honeybees that are genetically resistant to Varroa.

($850,000 pa for 5 years)

5. Living with Varroa - management practices for beekeepers and growers: research to understand the changes required in management practices for beekeepers and growers with Varroa established in the Australian landscape. Projects will include investigation of what New Zealand, the US and others have done successfully to manage Varroa. Practical response options will include husbandry practices, chemical management options, avoiding chemical resistance and hive monitoring and checking. ($125,000 pa for 4 years)

6. Alternative pollinator research/reducing insect dependency - to manage the risk of loss of our primary pollinator (European honeybee) through a catastrophic pest or disease outbreak. This project will invest in long-term research into alternative, mainly native, pollinators. It will also include research to reduce crop dependency on insect-mediated pollination – self-pollinating plant varieties and mechanical pollination options. ($100,000 pa for 5 years)

7. Pollination best management practices - the objective of this project is to research and document, on a crop-by-crop basis, pollination best management practice guidelines in a post Varroa setting. The project would include bee behaviour research in individual crops i.e. navigation and foraging behaviour. The outcome of this research will be a series of guidelines capable of shifting Australian horticultural and agricultural industries from current pollination levels to optimal pollination levels, improving enterprise returns and managing with Varroa. This project would make use of economic data generated in the ‘Economic case for pollination’ and the ‘Living with Varroa’ projects and would research bee behaviour in individual crops. The choice of crops for this research would be largely driven by funding sources – since each crop would largely capture the benefits of crop-specific research.

($100,000 pa for 5 years)

The above priority projects combine to form a five-year pollination research program in which investment is scheduled in three parts:

• protection against Varroa and other pests and diseases
• anticipation of Varroa
• post Varroa establishment.

A five-year cash flow is provided in the body of the report.

Pollination R&D funding models
Four possible funding models for pollination R&D are identified and the advantages and disadvantages of each reviewed. Further consideration of funding models will need to be made against the long established user/beneficiary pays principle, the presence of ‘public good’ and the Productivity Commission’s report ‘Public Support for Science and Innovation’ (Productivity Commission 2007), including consideration of ‘spillovers’ and ‘additionality’.

Implications for relevant stakeholders
This report will provide direction for the Pollination Australia Alliance for future investment and may reduce duplication and missed opportunities in R&D investment.

Recommendations
This initial research and development portfolio, developed with the assistance of literature and informed stakeholders, should be refined and expanded as other plant industries reliant on insect pollination are incorporated in the alliance and their priorities are added. Work on ‘portfolio balance’ will also be required to ensure there is an appropriate mix of long-term high cost ‘fundamental’ research (e.g. bee genetics) and short-term immediate payback ‘development’ activities for affected plant industries (e.g. pollination best management practices). Communication and research to support the economic case for pollination is critical to the overall success of the alliance.

Project recommendations, suggested budget and funding models should now be considered by potential investors in Pollination Australia through the Pollination Australia Business Plan (CIE 2008).