Summary

Pollination by the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) is important to varying degrees to the productivity and quality of many agricultural and horticultural commodities grown in Australia. Much (if not the majority) of the pollination of these crops is performed incidently, and at no cost to the producer, by either feral bees or by bees from commercial hives located in the vicinity and being managed for honey production. While provision of commercial pollination services in Australia is a growing activity, a comprehensive understanding of the role and value of pollination in Australian agriculture is lacking. Incursion of a pest or disease of bees that reduced the number and vigour of feral honeybee colonies would severely impact pollination-dependant crops and increase demand for managed pollination services.

Program

Honey Bee

Research Organisation

Strategen Environmental Consultants Pty Ltd

Objective Summary

This project will develop a case-study based awareness-raising output that:
* documents and highlights the value and importance of pollination to Australian primary industry production;
* serves as a potential guide to key pollination management issues at the enterprise, industry, regional and national levels for those with an interest or exposure to pollination-related industries;
* defines standards for the collection, recording and reporting of data relating to pollination in Australia;
* assists in identifying opportunities for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of pollination to Australian industries through research and development,
* assists to maintain continuity of pollination service delivery in the event of an incursion or other event that impacts on stocks of managed and feral bees in Australia.