The National Management Group (NMG) met on 27 June 2023 to consider the response to Varroa destructor in New South Wales (NSW). The response plan is being nationally cost-shared under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed.
The NMG noted it remains both technically feasible and cost beneficial to eradicate Varroa destructor from Australia. The meeting also noted the latest summary of response activities and statistics provided by the NSW government and complimented its positive progress towards eradication.
The NMG endorsed a revised response plan to complete eradication and achieve proof of freedom. It agreed to increase the Upper Limit on cost-shared expenditure to $132 million, with costs to be shared on the basis of a Category 2 Emergency Plant Pest. This new limit will take effect after the formal agreement of all affected parties.
The revised response plan incorporated the recommendations of an efficiency audit conducted earlier this year.
Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that targets European honey bees and is considered the greatest threat to Australia's honey and honey bee pollination-reliant plant industries. It is estimated that the establishment of varroa mite in Australia could result in losses of over $70 million a year.