Back bloody brillant bees

Fed Farmers is pushing government to recognise the role of bees by boosting biosecurity response and research.  Bees are an invaluable part of the $24.5 billion agricultural sector - NZ's largest and most important industry. "Bees are taken for granted but without bees our eco system and economy would collapse," says John Hartnell, Federated Farmers Bees spokesperson. "This week is Bee Week and the need for bees to be given the research priority and status they deserve has never been greater. "The contribution of bees to the $24.5 billion worth of agricultural exports is incalculable.  Yet less than $1 million is spent on research each year.  That's just 0.004 percent of agricultural exports or just 0.067 percent of what is being spent by NZ on research and development. "This underinvestment comes at a time when biosecurity concerns are increasing.  "Thankfully we don't have European Foulbrood or Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) but I have to add the dreaded word, yet. "At a time when border controls need enhancement, NZ appears to be running in the opposite direction.  "Varroa got through the border and the main risk vectors remain sea containers, aircraft passengers and a degree of resigned complacency. "Given the number of invasive species that have colonised NZ , you would think the same level of vigilance as shown on television would take place with containers.  It doesn't. "Worse, even passenger border standards are proposed for "˜streamlining.' "If European Foulbrood or CCD were to take hold in NZ, the living standard of every single NZer would be put at risk.   There are billions of reasons to enhance the border and each one is called a dollar. "The number of bees is in decline worldwide due to these new diseases but we don't know nearly enough about the nature of these diseases.