On The Land
25 February, 2025
Fund to tackle bee destroyer
A NEW fund being established by the State Government will be charged with developing creative solutions to strengthen Queensland’s defences against the destructive pest, varroa mite (Varroa destructor) and support beekeepers.
The $500,000 Community Bee Innovation Fund (CBIF) will provide grants of between $5,000 to $50,000 over the next three years to unearth and support innovative projects to prepare and protect Queensland’s beekeeping and pollination-reliant industries.
First detected in New South Wales in June 2022, varroa mites are tiny parasites that kill beehives and are the biggest pest to honeybees worldwide.
Varroa mites are not found in Queensland but have recently been detected in the NSW border town of Boggabilla.
The grants will fully fund projects that either deliver innovative varroa mite education and training or develop innovative varroa mite management tools.
Innovations can involve creating entirely new solutions or applying existing tools in novel ways to combat the threat of varroa mite.
Beekeeping clubs and groups, universities, local governments, industry bodies and agricultural businesses are encouraged to apply.
Beekeepers contribute an estimated $75 million annually in honey production and a staggering $2.4 billion in pollination value to Queensland’s economy.
The Crisafulli Government is also delivering 100 new biosecurity officers over the next four years to beef up biosecurity for primary industries.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said strong and responsive biosecurity was critical to the ongoing success of Queensland’s agricultural industries.
“This project empowers beekeepers, researchers and industry groups to develop creative solutions that strengthen our defences against varroa mite,” he said.
“It’s one of the many projects Queensland is working on to protect the sustainability of our beekeeping and pollination industries, which are crucial to our food security and economy.”
Round 1 of the grant program has opened, with applications closing on
24 March.
