Rural Aid assistance for bee industry
Donations can be made by visiting the Rural Aid website
SOUTH Australians are being encouraged to ‘buy a bee’ in the wake of the interstate varroa mite outbreaks.
The Buy a Bee campaign – developed by Rural Aid and supported by the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC) – aims to fundraise for beekeepers under the HiveAid umbrella.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the varroa mite situation was both volatile and distressing for beekeepers across the country.
“The public is encouraged to show their support for Australia’s littlest livestock by donating to Rural Aid’s Buy a Bee initiative,” Mr Warlters said.
“Rural Aid has been supporting beekeepers for years, through its HiveAid program, created during the Black Summer bushfires in partnership with AHBIC and Hive + Wellness, the nation’s largest honey packer…
“The new Buy a Bee campaign… will assist these same beekeepers as they take on the varroa mite.”
Rural Aid offers beekeepers and their families free counselling through its nation-wide team of qualified professionals.
“The DPI has identified mental health strain as the biggest issue currently facing these primary producers,” Mr Warlters said.
“Rural Aid is proud to be able to offer beekeepers immediate assistance in this area.”
AHBIC chairman Stephen Targett said without urgent support, some beekeepers would “struggle to survive financially”.
“The contribution of honey bees to agriculture in Australia through pollination services is estimated at up to $20 billion,” Mr Targett said.
“We are calling on the public to back our beekeepers now, not just for their sake, but for the sake of Australia’s entire agricultural and food production industries.”
Donations can be made by visiting the Rural Aid website.
Beekeepers not already registered with Rural Aid are encouraged to do so by visiting faa.ruralaid.org.au.
