This apiary trades bees throughout New Zealand and overseas. Urgent tracing of bee movements from this property initiated on Wednesday led to restricted place notices being served on the apiary in Otago, which received bees from this property. Three smaller apiaries were also confirmed. All these properties are within a 10-kilometre radius. A commercial Opotiki apiary reported signs of Varroa infestation.
Verroa presence has yet to be confirmed.
Bees from the same apiary were recently exported to Canada. MAF's International Animal Trade section is actively following this up with the Canadian authorities. The controlled area MAF is establishing a controlled area under the Biosecurity Act 1993, in order to impose movement controls on things that could cause the spread of the mite. Any part of any beehive, including frames, boxes, lids and bases, and supers of honey. There are two levels of control that will apply.