Mrs PADGHAM-PURICH - 1995-11-22
What is the current position, as of today, in relation to bees and apiary equipment imported illegally into the Katherine area? I refer to the testing of the honey, the movement of the bees, the quarantine, if any, and other action taken by the department?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, as of today, I have a number of test results from the New South Wales Agriculture Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Woodbridge Road, Menangle, New South Wales. A series of tests undertaken by that laboratory, on honey despatched from the said hives, shows them to be negative in all cases for American foulbrood, European foulbrood and chalkbrood diseases. As a result of the receipt of these tests, all quarantine restrictions on those hives have been lifted. Previously, they had been held in quarantine at Katherine and, when the food supply ran short at Katherine, they were placed into quarantine on the Mary River. In relation to action taken against the importer, I understand that the Chief Inspector of Stock has laid a complaint with the Department of Law which is undertaking procedures leading to prosecution.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, as of today, I have a number of test results from the New South Wales Agriculture Regional Veterinary Laboratory at Woodbridge Road, Menangle, New South Wales. A series of tests undertaken by that laboratory, on honey despatched from the said hives, shows them to be negative in all cases for American foulbrood, European foulbrood and chalkbrood diseases. As a result of the receipt of these tests, all quarantine restrictions on those hives have been lifted. Previously, they had been held in quarantine at Katherine and, when the food supply ran short at Katherine, they were placed into quarantine on the Mary River. In relation to action taken against the importer, I understand that the Chief Inspector of Stock has laid a complaint with the Department of Law which is undertaking procedures leading to prosecution.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016