Beekeepers to converge on Beehive

Beekeepers from around the country will converge on the Beehive tomorrow to try and convince the Government not to allow the importation of bee products.

Protest co-ordinator Russell Berry said the imports risked bringing in European foul brood disease, which was a threat to horticultural sectors including kiwifruit, avocados, pip and stone fruits, small seeds and clover.

Beekeepers have been lobbying their local MPs to stress the effect the disease could have on pollination and the local beekeeping industry.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) said it had carried out research into bee product importation and that the risk of the disease being transmitted here was low.

Beekeepers have been sending MAF submissions over the issue, which has not yet been decided on.

- NZPA