29 May 2000 Hopes that intensive varroa surveillance will be completed shortly This week is likely to be the last of intensive surveillance to complete the delimiting survey. Surveillance is largely completed in the original Infected Zone, but will continue this week in the Buffer Zone. The project targeting sites in the Buffer Zone in common ownership with infected sites in the Infected Zone is also continuing. Matthew Stone explains that the survey strategy has been based upon analysis of varroa spread mechanisms.
Natural spread is detected by testing around infected places.
Spread by beekeepers is detected by either the tracing operation, or by targeted sampling based on apiary risk profiling. Apiaries owned by beekeepers who have other infected apiaries are considered to be a high risk, because of the potential for beekeepers to inadvertently spread varroa between their sites in the normal course of business, prior to movement controls being established. MAF has a briefing paper going to the Cabinet Infrastructure and Environment Committee on Wednesday, which reports that MAF propose to present a substantial paper to Cabinet by the end of June. The briefing paper updates the situation to date, and notes the process by which MAF will determine a preferred control option. This is occurring by consultation with experts and stakeholders to determine the technical feasibility and likelihood of success of an attempt at eradication, and the associated economic implications.