Many More Opinions Needed – NZBB Advisory Group Consultation Lagging

With April 19 looming as the deadline for beekeepers to let their opinions be known on how advisory groups to New Zealand Bee Health and Biosecurity (NZBB) should be structured, hundreds more will need to respond if the default option is not to be guaranteed.

Consultation began February 16 but, as of March 30, just 101 beekeepers had responded to NZBB’s call for feedback, with only 14 of those owners of more than 250 beehives.

“I am hoping that by sending a few more reminder emails out we will prompt a few more. Otherwise, it is dominated by beekeepers with less than 250 hives,” NZBB chief executive Niha Long says.

NZBB has stated that unless at least 5% of registered beekeepers respond the default option of “technical” advisory groups being called on and selected by the board will be the chosen path. Other options include more beekeeper-led approaches such as a beekeeper-technical expert group where beekeepers can self-nominate and be selected by the board; the “stakeholder and technical AG” option where beekeeping industry groups nominate representatives to sit alongside technical experts; or simply a stakeholder nominated group of beekeepers.

To reach the 5% threshold 378 beekeepers would need to contribute.

So far one thing is for certain – “Everyone who has responded has responded positively about having an advisory group,” Long reports.

NZBB’s role is to help beekeepers eliminate American foulbrood from managed colonies, and the advisory group, or groups, are to be made up of volunteers. They would be tasked with helping come up with new ideas for AFB elimination, weighing in on ideas proposed by the board, and helping build connection to wider beekeeping networks, among other topics.

The lack of input from commercial beekeepers is concerning Long says.

“We need to hear from everyone, but generally when we get consultation we hear from hobbyists. I have no problem with that. Hobbyists hold an important viewpoint and are an enduring part of the industry, but we often don’t hear much from commercials and it is important that we consider what an industry advisory group means to them and what value they see in it,” Long says.

Registered beekeepers should have received email or mail advising of the consultation and all the details can be found on their website here.