News
31 July, 2025
State delivering support to help combat varroa mite
THE State Government is strengthening Queensland’s biosecurity by providing vital support to apiarists and the horticulture sector to help safeguard against varroa mite.
The first recipients of the $500,000 Community Bee Innovation Fund (CBIF) have been announced, with funding to be used for training, education and pest management activities aimed at protecting the beekeeping and pollination-dependent industries.
For a decade, former Labor Governments failed to invest in the biosecurity systems that protect Queensland’s food supply and broader economy. This latest investment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to restoring and improving the state’s biosecurity defences, recognising the critical role biosecurity plays in securing agricultural productivity.
Launched in February, the CBIF offers grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 over the next three years to support efforts to manage the threat of varroa mite (Varroa destructor). The first round of successful recipients includes the Gold Coast Amateur Beekeepers Society Inc, which will provide training in brood interruption and queen rearing, the Queensland Beekeepers Association Inc with a program focused on varroa education and support, Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers Ltd with its BeeREADY initiative, and the Queensland Southern Beekeepers Association Inc, which will deliver varroa mite education and hive management strategies.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the funding is a strategic investment in the future of Queensland’s beekeeping and horticulture industries. He said the Crisafulli Government is supporting organisations engaged in education and pest management initiatives, helping to build greater awareness and preparedness for this highly destructive pest.
Mr Perrett said biosecurity underpins Queensland’s entire agricultural sector, and ongoing investment in research and innovation is essential for long-term resilience. He emphasised the value of the honey industry, particularly its importance to export markets in Asia.
The funding also complements the Government’s commitment to employ 100 additional biosecurity officers during this term. Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers CEO Rachel Chambers said their grant is helping transition pollination arrangements from informal handshake deals to a more strategic, coordinated approach, supporting growers, healthy bees, and the continued supply of premium Australian honey.
