Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee [Part 2], , 1:46:34 to 1:57:50
The committee explores the biosecurity risks of deformed wing virus transmission through imported honey and bee semen. Officials discuss the integration of new scientific research into import risk assessments and pollination data.
Topics: Biosecurity, Privacy, Health
Speakers: Hon Richard Colbeck, Dr Susan Collins, Brandt Smith, Victoria Anderson, Unknown Speaker, Justine Saunders, Senator Susan McDonald, Speaker 1
>> Thank you. >> Oh you want to keep going with bees and
>> Yep. You send a copy.
>> We've got [clears throat] yellow crazy
>> So, as a part of that redesign of the surveillance program, are you aware of the paper done by CSRO in relation to deformed wing virus? uh and given that verawa is a vector for deformed wing virus.
>> Uh so I'm I'm not a specifically aware of the paper you're talking about but um the the issue you raise is now that Veroa is here at Ken Vector things like deformed wing virus and that's the intent of resetting the surveillance program. What is it that we actually want to be looking for? How do we want to be looking for it now that we have veroa in itself but also veroa as a potential vector for things like
So this is a recent document from 2026 testing uh virus transmission pathways imported in imported honey um and be semen. Um and so it talks about the pathways uh and the possibilities of transmission in both of those things. So it and it does some testing, gives some results. Um is that being incorporated into the that um is being done in terms of the surveillance program?
So, so when we look at redesigning surveillance programs, we do consider potential pathways of entry. So, uh um things like you were talking about uh how how can these pests um get into the country? Is it through things like B semen or um equipment or um queens for instance, that's all the considerations that go into uh um what our targets should be and how should we be looking for them and how um and where should we be looking for them as part of a redesigned surveillance program.
So this work found that there is a pathway if you feed bees with infected honey so that will transmit Um and it also uh most feet queens were infected if they were inseminated with deformed wing virus infected semen positive semen. what's the pathway for incorporating
>> So, Senator, we don't have deformed ring virus in Australia. So,
>> Oh, no, we don't. But but you know, if if there's been another incursion of Verawa, which is what Senator Canavan's just discussed. perhaps let's say what's behind the treatment resistant mites that are now I mean, we're getting potentially more um incursions and as and Veroa is an effective vector for now it's established. I mean the issue is what actions do we take to stop it getting in here and if it and and and mitigating the vectors for it. This work by sorrow demonstrates two of those. So, we're importing a lot of honey. It might be low risk. I want I want to understand how we're making sure that the risk is managed or mitigated.
>> Uh yes, Senator. So, um similar to other other things we import, there is a a risk analysis process that occurs for um imported products. Um so, honey and and queens uh and the and um similar to what uh Dr. Finn was talking about uh import conditions and measures to make sure that the the imports do meet our appropriate level of protection. Uh and when um when I was talking about sort of the redesign of the surveillance program again that we'll consider what are what are the pests or the targets that we need to now be looking for and how do we look for them um uh now that we have veromite for instance as a potential vector for new viruses. So uh what what do we need um to to look for new viruses in in our bee population at the points of entry where they are most likely to come in. So that's the that's part part of the redesign work exactly what you're you're talking about so we can uh detect uh new pest incursions early um and look to to eradicate or contain them.
>> So you're not formally aware of the Roberts research?
>> I haven't seen that particular paper. No, but I I do know uh CSRO does do a lot of research around these sorts of things and we've worked with um uh John Roberts before on other aspects of B viruses.
>> So what would be the process to incorporate that research into the um
Uh I can definitely make sure sure it is. Um it it may already be in the in the mix of things that um uh that the B biocurity steering committee is considering as part of their their uh they're looking at the redesigning of the B biocurity in the B pest surveillance program um following the a
So what about the testing of imported honey to check it for >> So is there work being done with the National U Measurement Institute to improve testing or to to do testing?
>> I'd have to take that on notice unless Dr.
>> Um can Senator Brandt Smith um I'm the head of the animal division first assistant secretary. So we do some of the workaround risk assessment for imported bees and honey. So the report that I think you're referring to is around the risk of deformed wing virus entering Australian colonies for imported honey.
>> Honey and semen.
>> Correct. So I think as as I recall from that study so we had I mean this is only fairly recent but
>> yes it is new is it is new work. Um but
I understood that whilst they had detected um um some of the DWV in nine of the 15 imported samples were in raw or mini minimally processed honey.
>> That's correct.
>> Um below or near levels consistent with the transmission
>> not so much of a problem. Correct. Raw honey was the issue.
>> Yeah, that's right. So none no none of that was detected in processed honeys or tested. So we do have conditions that require um honey that's imported to be free from certain types of diseases like European fail brood etc. um and then sourced from free um populations or they're treated heat treated or ionizing radiation to manage some of those issues. So these are the sorts of things we look at [snorts] now but in light of this recent information we'll certainly look at this in detail and determine whether we need to make any changes to our import requirements around honey. knowing that we haven't brought any queens I don't think or be semen in to Australia for I think about 12 months.
>> Okay. So if I if I'm reading the report right it is possible to test uh deforming virus free semen. Is that part of the import protocol for semen?
Uh that's what they're referring to in this report. Yeah. So that's what we're going to need to look at as far as do we need any additional requirements around
>> And so this work can now then be considered as a part of the current reviews that have been concerned as to whether there's any changes needed to the protocols.
>> This will be considered.
>> This will be considered in our import risk um assessment work. Yes, any any new information that comes to light, we will look at and determine whether we need to change our risk settings or whether our risk settings are um proportionate to what's needed.
>> Okay. Um just just on the Veroa treatments and it's I know it's probably more the perview of the APVMA. Is there any work being done in relation to additional treatments or supporting the um to make some of the existing treatments more cost effective?
>> No, I think we can check with APVM if
>> then later on. Okay. But there is a lot
of work senator underway and research in terms of how do we better respond nationally. So I suspect that's I suspect it is but we just don't have that information available.
So, so just back to the question Senator Kavan asked about um the impact on almonds and some of those uh crops that are highly dependent on and have been wild bee populations which through New South Wales have been basically wiped out over the last two years which is similar to what happened in New Zealand. Um, is there any data at all coming out of the states in relation to the impact of that? I mean, I I understand you're not doing it yourself. It's being managed to the state level, but there is is there any data that's coming on out on that and what that's doing uh to the demand for uh hives >> in those crops.
>> Absolutely. So Senator um I don't know the specific answer to your question but we can we can double check what's coming out of the states. I I was going to add to an answer before that in when Senator Canavan was raising this because obviously our RDC's are investing both through Agra futures and Hort innovation both have significant investment programs around um you know research into broad broader pollination resilience in case of Hort innovation and then I think um Agra futures as the the industry as R&D body responsible for bees >> and honey um I think they've got quite a bit going on too so we can check with those um those areas as to what information they're currently getting to support uh to support that research from the states and territories.