Ag-Chemical Working Group
Practical Progress for Victorian Beekeepers

For the past several months, the VAA has been collaborating with Agriculture Victoria on an Apiary Industry Action Plan regarding chemical use. Through this collaboration, we are able to advise AgVic on the impact of regulations and chemical use guidelines on beekeepers' ability to effectively manage varroa. There are two important recent changes from our work with AgVic. Both provide greater flexibility for beekeepers developing integrated Varroa management programs.

1) Formic Acid: Beekeepers are now permitted to use single pad applications of Formic Pro as part of a complete treatment plan. This creates a flexible, measured method to suppress mite populations without overwhelming colonies in a wider range of temperatures and variable seasonable conditions. 

2) Thymol Dosing: Beekeepers are now permitted to apply a 1/2 does of Apiguard on hives. This offers a safer and more adaptable alternative for integrated pest management. 

This Ag-Chem Industry Action Plan working group will continue to meet regularly. We welcome feedback from Victorian beekeepers on issues and challenges they face with respect to using varroa treatment chemicals so that we can continue to advise regulators and deliver positive outcomes for our industry. With miticide resistance now detected in Victoria, access to effective, practical and legally compliant treatment options is increasingly important.

There is considerably more work to do, and the VAA will continue advocating for practical treatment pathways, clear guidance and responsible chemical use. We would like to thank Matt Petersen, Richard Collins and Lachlan Goode for representing Victorian beekeepers on this working group.