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Horse Flavivirus Survey Report 2011 (PDF 517.4 KB) or Accessible version (Word 836.5 KB)

SA Apiaries Program Review Report

Pigeon Paramyxovirus - Information and Advice

Avian Paramyxovirus - Media Release (14 September 2011)

Biosecurity Fee proposal

Hendra Virus information

Horse Neuro Disease - 30 May Update

Map – horses and Ross River Virus results - 5 May

Acid Drainage Issue - Media Release

Livestock and Exposure to Acid Drainage Water - FAQ

National Sheep Health Statement

NLIS Cattle

NLIS Sheep & Goats

Property Identification Code (PIC) application

Branding

Reporting Unusual Symptoms

SCAHLS (Sub-Committee on Animal Health Laboratory Standards)

Current Issues

Mob Based Movement

Horse Biosecurity Glovebox Guide (pdf)

Animal Health Australia

Bees

The current apiary program reflects a series of recommendations derived from a Ministerial Task Force directed to develop a long-term strategy that would imporve industry's self-reliance.

The program has two broad aims:

  • improve industry self-reliance and market access for apiary products by reducing the incidence of honey bee diseases, particularly American Foulbrood (AFB)
  • increase awareness within agricultural and horticultural industries about the effect of professional pollination services on crop yield and quality    

The Apiary program (referred to as the Mandatory Disease Control program in South Australia) consists of eight key components designed to reducing the incidence of American Foulbrood from the existing 32% of apiary operations (3% of registered hives) to 9% of registered operations (0.8% of registered hives) within four years.

Broadly, the key elements of the program include:

  • The formation of an industry advisory group, whose role will be to provide the Minister, after consultation with industry, with advice on industry funding, program direction, changes to legislation etc;
  • Overseeing the results of a honey packer initiated AFB and residue testing program;
  • Complementing the honey packer initiative with a targeted regulatory program focusing on the identification and "making safe" of neglected and abandoned material in areas reliant upon professional pollination services and known AFB infected apiary operations to eradicate AFB and prevent disease spread;
  • Implementing targeted surveillance for antibiotic residues in known long term AFB infected operations and providing field support for the honey National Residue Survey program;
  • Improving apiarist knowledge and skills in disease identification, control and prevention through training and the implementation of risk management strategies;
  • Annual registration, complemented by representative honey tests;
  • Reviewing existing legislation;
  • An extension campaign amongst agricultural and horticultural industries promoting the benefits of AFB free hives for pollination.

Programs