The Crisafulli Government has announced a $500,000 investment through the Community Bee Innovation Fund (CBIF) to manage the threat of varroa mite (Varroa destructor) and strengthen Queensland's biosecurity. An additional $250,000 in grant funding has also been made available to further protect the state's beekeeping and pollination-dependent horticultural industries.
The CBIF, which opened in February, offers grants between $5,000 and $50,000 over three years to support education, training, and management strategies for the varroa mite. The first round of successful recipients includes the Gold Coast Amateur Beekeepers Society Inc., which will deliver brood interruption and queen rearing training; the Queensland Beekeepers Association Inc., which will lead a program focused on education and support; Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers Ltd. with its BeeREADY initiative; and the Queensland Southern Beekeepers Association Inc., which will raise awareness about the seriousness of varroa mite and promote pest management techniques.
Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett emphasised that these grants are a vital investment in securing the future of Queensland's beekeeping and pollination sectors. He stated, "The Crisafulli Government is investing in the organisations that are leading the way in education and biosecurity preparedness. Biosecurity underpins everything we do, and that's why we are committing to research and innovation to support our agricultural industries into the future."
Perrett added that beekeeping and honey production play a key role in Queensland's economy and export markets, particularly in Asia, where Australian honey is highly valued. He also reiterated the government's broader commitment to strengthening biosecurity systems, which includes the hiring of 100 new biosecurity officers across the state during this term.
Rachel Chambers, CEO of Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ltd., highlighted the strategic use of the grant, noting that the funding will support a shift from informal, handshake-based pollination agreements to a more structured, coordinated approach. "This ensures more reliable crop outcomes for growers while also supporting the health and productivity of bees and maintaining a steady supply of premium Australian honey," she said.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in safeguarding Queensland's agriculture and demonstrates a renewed focus on biosecurity after what the government describes as a decade of underinvestment by previous administrations.
For more information:
Nicole Bond
Queensland Government
Tel: +61 (0) 417 199 369
www.statements.qld.gov.au
