The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (the Code) The Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice (the Code) has been developed in consultation with beekeepers and governments to provide a clear framework for Australian beekeepers to engage in best-practice biosecurity.
The Code has been developed to incorporate fundamental biosecurity principles into the practices of all Australian beekeepers.
Compliance with the Code is actively monitored through a combination of self-certification, and both targeted and random inspection of beekeepers’ records by apiary officers. Emphasis is placed on beekeepers who manage 20 or more hives. Where the Code is legislated, these beekeepers are required to certify each
year that they are in compliance with the Code including that they have maintained appropriate records.
The Code is regularly revised to ensure it meets the needs of the honey bee industry. The most recent update includes revisions relevant to the establishment of Varroa destructor in some
Australian states.
Australian Honey Bee Industry Biosecurity Code of Practice
Victorian Bee Biosecurity Officer Ally Driessen has recorded a video on the Code of Practice. This video is part of a broader series on B-Qual (Introduction and B-Qual Audit levels), which is available on YouTube.
