New Zealand remains free of the beehive pest Aethina tumida

Aethina tumida (Small Hive Beetle) is a beetle originating from Southern
Africa which feeds on wax and honey in beehives. While it is considered a
minor problem in Africa, it has become a significant pest of bees in the
United States since 1998.

The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (NZ MAF) wish to
advise that New Zealand is free of A tumida, and has stringent border
controls to prevent the entry of pests, backed up by a nation-wide beehive
surveillance programme.

Australia first detected A tumida in late October 2002, in New South Wales.
A survey carried out through November showed that the beetle had spread
extensively in Australia, and a decision was taken not to attempt
eradication of the beetle.

New Zealand has been in regular contact with Australian authorities
throughout this period, and has closely followed the incursion response. NZ
MAF has reviewed the risk pathways by which A tumida could be spread. New
Zealand already prohibits the importation of bees, honey and used
beekeeping equipment from Australia, which are considered to pose the
highest risk of introducing A tumida.

MAF is aware that some international importers of honey bees assume that
pests and diseases which are found in Australia will also be found in New
Zealand. In fact, New Zealand is separated from Australia by over 2000 km
of ocean. In comparison, most of Europe is far closer to Egypt (where A
tumida was also detected recently), than New Zealand is to Australia.