On the other hand, half moon disease exists which appears to be very similar in symptomology to EFB, so much so that a visitor from Australia was willing to bet the diseases were the same. He apparently lost. Toxic honey and honeydew in New Zealand have caused problems. In addition, the honey dew secreted by certain vine hoppers feeding on the plant is also toxic. Fortunately, the problem area is known, as is the time of year so that with some planning beekeepers can avoid harvesting a poisonous crop.
Pollination is a big industry in New Zealand.
A major beneficiary is the kiwifruit industry which offers Ph.D. scholarships in a variety of fields, including pollination by honey bees. A major focus of a public affairs announcement to tourists about the dangers of bringing in honey and bee equipment is the potential damage to the large, lucrative kiwifruit export market. The closing of the eastern Canadian border to queens and package bees from the U.S. because of tracheal mites may be a boon to New Zealand beekeeping. Only time will tell if it will be profitable to ship bees so great a distance, rather than buying them from sources closer to Canada. A recent article represents a milestone in the continual search for scientific proof of the value of a honey bee as pollinator.