New Zealand BeeKeeper - November 2016

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NEW ZEALAND BEEKEEPER, NOVEMBER 2016

Ministry for Primary Industries MPI REMINDS BEEKEEPERS OF LISTING REQUIREMENTS MPI The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) would like to remind beekeepers of the new requirement that took effect on 25 August 2016. This requires beekeepers to be listed with MPI if they supply honey to operators who have a Risk Management Programme (RMP) in-place and export to countries that require official assurances (‘Certification’).

the shape, caused the beekeeper to suspect small hive beetle. Although this photo does not show it clearly, Histeridae have shortened wing cases.

This particular beetle was Saprinus detritus.

Case 3: Nitidulidae Nitidulidae (pictured above) are two to six millimetres long and have clubbed antennae. The beetles submitted in these cases were Epuraea spp. , which are slightly more elongated than small hive beetles. Conclusion A number of beetles are found in New Zealand beehives, some of which can look similar to small hive beetle. All beekeepers are encouraged to review the exotic disease pamphlet produced by MPI regularly and to report anything suspected as being an exotic pest or disease via the MPI exotic disease hotline on 0800 809 966. Acknowledgement This article was funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries through the Apiculture Surveillance Programme. Further reading BeeAware. Small hive beetle. Retrieved October 11, 2016 from http://beeaware. org.au/archive-pest/small-hive-beetle/#ad- image-0 Ellis, J. D., and Ellis, A. (2013). Featured creatures: small hive beetle. Retrieved October 11, 2016, from http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/ creatures/misc/bees/small_hive_beetle.htm Ministry for Primary Industries. (2016). News & Resources: Publications. Retrieved October 11, 2016, from http://mpi.govt.nz/news-and- resources/publications/

RMP operators are now only able to accept honey from beekeepers listed with MPI. Beekeepers operating under their own RMPs do not need to be additionally listed with MPI. MPI would like to thank the more than 351 beekeepers that have provided their completed Beekeeper Listing forms to MPI to date. These beekeepers have been listed to supply honey for export with official assurances in the upcoming season. Why did MPI make these changes? New Zealand honey is in increasing demand around the world, and it’s important New Zealand continues to be seen as a trusted supplier of high quality, safe products. One of the ways MPI ensures this is through the official government-to- government assurances it provides to importing countries that New Zealand products meet their requirements in areas such as food safety. Earlier this year MPI made improvements to its systems and processes that support ‘official assurances’. In addition to requiring listing of non-RMP beekeepers, MPI also

introduced requirements to strengthen traceability in its electronic certification system and labelling of unlabelled bulk honey and retail packs, and it increased the verification of bee product export premises. These requirements were introduced after consultation with industry in late 2015/ early 2016. How to get listed with MPI If you’re a beekeeper and still require listing with MPI, you’ll need to complete the AP14 Beekeeper Listing form and follow the instructions on MPI’s website at www.mpi. govt.nz/exporting/food/honey-and-bee- products, under ‘Forms & Templates’. What if I’m not listed with MPI? If you’re not currently listed with MPI or do not operate under a Risk Management Programme, you can only sell honey domestically or supply it for export to countries that do not require official assurances. Who can I contact if I have questions? If you have questions regarding the listing process, please email approvals@mpi.govt.nz

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