National Baselining Project

What is it?

The project involves undertaking a nation-wide honey bee virus survey in order to establish an existing baseline for endemic bee viruses.

The data collected will be used to build a national knowledge base and provide continued confidence that exotic viruses remain absent from our shores. 

Results from future collections will be measured against the baseline data captured from this project.

Why is it important?

The project is considered particularly important as overseas experiences have shown that heavy Varroa mite infestation can increase the levels of virus-related disease in bee colonies.  

What does the project involve?

The National Virus Baselining Project involves collecting samples of bees from every state and territory before they are ultimately sent to the Elizabeth Macarthur Agriculture Institute (EMAI) for testing. Here the samples will be compared against bees from different environments, geographic distribution and genetic stock from across the country.

It is proposed that the number of samples collected be proportional to the number of registered beekeepers in each state and territory.  

Varroa Development Officers (VDOs) and trained staff from the National Varroa Mite Management Program (NVMMP) will work with beekeepers in target areas to collect the bee samples.  

All bee sample collections are anticipated to be completed by March 2025. 

How will the samples be collected?

The approach for the collection of samples will vary by state / territory. In some cases NVMMP staff will carry out the collection of individual samples from hives. In other states we will be calling for beekeepers to volunteer to collect samples from their hives and send them to a centralised collection point.

Participation in the project is purely voluntary, however beekeepers are encouraged to consider the offer of participation if approached by staff from the NVMMP.

Should a beekeeper agree to participate in the project, the sample collected will be a minimum of either:

• 100 bees from each of three (3) separate hives if the beekeeper has less than 2,000 hives, or  

• 100 bees from each of six (6) separate hives if the beekeeper has more than 2,000 hives. 

NVMMP Officers will provide participating beekeepers with greater details of the collection procedure.

There will be no cost to participating beekeepers with all collection equipment to be provided by the NVMMP. There will also be no financial payment or reimbursement for project participants.

Results of the project will be published on completion with any public information to remain non-identifiable.

The National Virus Baselining Project is organised and managed by the by the National Varroa Mite Management Program.

How can I get involved?

Beekeepers wishing to take part in the National Virus Baselining Project can provide their Expression of Interest via the form links on this page.