Beekeepers Poll

Update: With the NSW varroa mite incursion response transitioning to management, the Beekeeper Producers’ Committee have postponed the poll to 2024 in order to prioritise supporting initiatives for West Australian varroa mite incursion prevention, detection preparedness and response.

To that end, the Committee have repurposed the funding previously held for the hive reimbursement scheme towards a dedicated grant round, and undertaken a review of the 2024 FFS charge in order to ensure sufficient industry funding for these critical biosecurity initiatives.

It is expected that the poll will now take place in early-mid 2024.

In Western Australia, the Agricultural Produce Commission Act 1988 provides for the collection of compulsory fees from agricultural producers of participating industries which are then invested in projects for the benefit of that industry. The APC Act identifies 15 functions and services for which a fee may be charged to producers.

For nearly twenty years, compulsory fee-for-service charges collected annually from all Western Australian Beekeepers have been authorised to be invested in only 7 of the 15 available functions.  These are predominately biosecurity related initiatives to help protect and preserve the industry.

In 2022, the industry came together to develop the new WA Bee, Honey and Pollination Industry Strategic Plan 2022-27 to benefit of all Western Australian beekeepers.

To support delivery of these and other critical strategic projects for industry going forward, the APC Beekeeper Producers’ Committee is asking beekeepers to approve the expansion of the functions which it is authorised to invest FFS monies in. The poll will ask beekeepers to authorise the Beekeeper Producers’ Committee to be able to undertake all of the functions allowable under the APC Act.  If successful, this would enable the Committee to deliver a broader range of initiatives listed now or in future:

• Advertise and promote the agricultural produce (bee, honey and pollination products).

• Develop and expand markets for bee, honey and pollination products in Western Australia and elsewhere.

• Establish a voluntary insurance scheme for the WA Bee, Honey and Pollination Industry.

• Undertake and provide market forecasting for bee, honey and pollination products.

• Formulate schemes for declaring producers of bee, honey and pollination products to be accredited producers. 

• Establish systems to facilitate inspection of grading, packaging and storage of bee, honey and pollination products including weight and uniformity within packages.

• Support, with or without grant of financial aid, and whether or not initiated by the committee or the Commission, any scheme or activity which in the committee’s opinion is capable of assisting in the production, promotion or sale of bee, honey and pollination products.

There is no proposed change to activities currently funded by hobby beekeepers with less than four hives. Funds raised from these beekeepers continue to be invested in biosecurity initiatives related to declared pest and disease.