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Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has appointed the New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity Trust to implement and enforce the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan.
The new management agency will take over management of the plan from July 1.
Hoggard said the New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity Trust (NZBB) will bring a lot of experience. It is a new registered charitable trust of the current AFB Management Agency board.
鈥淲ith the resignation of Apiculture NZ, which has managed the [plan] since 2016, a new management agency designated under the Biosecurity Act was needed if the plan was to continue.
鈥淭he former AFB Management Agency board took steps to organise themselves in such a way that they were eligible for appointment under the Act. This appointment ensures a smooth transition, without the need to stand up a completely new organisation.鈥
Hoggard said there will be no change for beekeepers.
鈥淭here will be a different name on the levies 鈥 otherwise there are no changes. All the obligations and rules in the AFB National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan remain the same.鈥
He was confident the NZBB will manage the plan in a way that represents the interests of all beekeepers.
鈥淚 expect that the expansion of their role beyond just AFB management will be an opportunity for beekeepers to come together for the long-term success of the industry.
鈥淚 support NZBB establishing advisory groups to provide an opportunity for beekeepers and the wider industry to provide input into decision making.鈥
American foulbrood is a devastating bee disease, and while its elimination may seem an impossible task, it is a disease that New Zealand beekeepers have worked hard to control and achieve some real reductions in cases, he said.
鈥淚 am confident the new management agency, along with beekeepers鈥 continued vigilance and compliance with the plan, that the industry will continue to see a reduction in this disease, for the benefit of all.鈥