AFB Recognition Courses
We are providing non-DECA holders with the opportunity to attend an AFB Recognition course and pass the test as a pre requisite for applying for a Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement (DECA).
DECA holders agree to implement practices and procedures sufficient to eliminate AFB from their beehives and no longer need to submit a Certificate of Inspection. Please be aware that the DECA will only be approved once you have done the required steps to obtaining your DECA as outlined in the process, please CLICK HERE
All correspondence relating to AFB recognition course training (with test) and refresher training (with no test) should be directed to Janette Gwilliam, contact details are training@afb.org.nz or phone 0800 232 767 and choose option 4.
For more information about our AFB refresher courses – CLICK HERE
And information regarding taking the AFB Recognition Course test via Proctor – CLICK HERE.
The AFB Test is now available in Maori, Korean, Filipino and Mandarin (Simplified Chinese). Please advise Janette if you require the above to be sent to the trainer for your course.
Important:
If you are planning on attending an AFB Recognition Course it is strongly recommended that you purchase and study a copy of the book titled “Elimination of American Foulbrood Disease without the Use of Drugs” commonly referred to as the yellow book. This worthwhile publication can be obtained from:
- Your local beekeeping supplier
- Apiculture New Zealand – click here to go to the online shop
- Latest 2018 Revised Edition: – cost: $39.95 (plus postage costs $7.50)
Course Information
Most courses run from 9am – to approx. 3pm. There is a break for lunch then completion of the course and test in the afternoon. Applicants must bring their own lunch and any drinks they will require for the day. To register for the courses, please complete the application form at the bottom of this website and immediately make your payment to the bank details listed to secure your place. You will receive a receipt of your payment which will secure your place on this course as well as outline some tips to help prepare for the test.
Courses cost $100 per person are limited to 25 paid participants – the course will be listed as full once this has been reached.
Should beekeepers who fall outside of the regions mentioned require a course(s), given there is reasonable support, we will do our best to organise additional courses. Please email Janette Gwilliam at training@afb.org.nz with your location details.
Please complete the registration form to submit your application.
2022 AFB Recognition Courses are still being run under a vaccine mandate. Proof of vaccination will be required.
This list will be updated as more courses are confirmed.
Our online AFB Recognition Course (plus test) is being developed and will be available mid 2022. We will advise all beekeepers when it is ready to accept registrations.
OHAKUNE – please email training@afb.org.nz if you wish to register your interest to attend a course at this location
TAUMARUNUI – please email training@afb.org.nz if you wish to register your interest to attend a course at this location
LOWER HUTT – Saturday 21 May, 10:30am – 4:30pm – The Dowse Art Museum – Laings Road
REGISTRATIONS CLOSE THURSDAY 19 MAY
MASTERTON – Saturday 28 May, 9am – Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre – 529 Cornwall Road – Masterton
GISBORNE – Saturday 11 June, 9am – EIT Gisbone
ROTORUA – Saturday 18 June, 10am – Arawa Bowling Club Lytton St (off Devon St) – Rotorua
PALMERSTON NORTH – Saturday 18 June, 9am – Crossroads – Church Street – Palmerston North
NEW PLYMOUTH – Sunday 19 June, 9am – Brougham Heights Motel Conference Room – 54 Brougham Street
DUNEDIN – Saturday 2 July, 9am – All Saints Church – 786 Cumberland Street – Dunedin 9016
WAIPU – Sunday 3 July, 9am – Waipu Primary School – Argyl St – Waipu
HASTINGS – Saturday 9 July, 9am – LBT Centre – Warren Street – Hastings
ASHBURTON – Saturday 16 July, 9am – RSA – Cox St – Ashburton
POINT CHEV – Saturday 30 July, 9am – Point Chev Community Centre – 18 Huia Road – Point Chevalier
HAMILTON – Saturday 6 August, 9am – Aaron Court Motor 250 Ulster Street – Whitiora – Hamilton
CHRISTCHURCH – Saturday 13 August, 9am – National Trade Academy – McLeans Island Road
KERIKERI – Sunday 28 August, 9am – Manuka Health Meeting Room – 2206 State Highway 10 – Kerikeri
other dates for Northland are yet to be set
NORTHCOTE – Saturday 3 September, 9am – Northcote War Memorial Hall – 2 Rodney Road – Northcote Point
TAURANGA – Saturday 10 September, 9am – Macys Motor Inn Corner – 11th Avenue & Edgecumbe Road – Tauranga
BLENHEIM – Saturday 17 September, 9am – NMIT – 85 Budge Street – Blenheim
ASHBURTON – Saturday 24 September, 9am – RSA – Cox St – Ashburton
MASTERTON – Saturday 1 October, 9am – Wairarapa Community Centre – 41 Perry Street – Masterton
OREWA – Sunday 2 October, 9am – Hibiscus Coast Community House – 214 Hibiscus Coast Highway – Orewa
PALMERSTON NORTH – Saturday 8 October, 9am – Crossroads – Church Street – Palmerston North
DUNEDIN – Saturday 15 October, 9am – All Saints Church – 786 Cumberland Street – Dunedin 9016
CHRISTCHURCH – Saturday 29 October, 9am – National Trade Academy – McLeans Island Road
NORTHCOTE – Saturday 29 October, 9am – Northcote War Memorial Hall – 2 Rodney Road – Northcote Point
NEW PLYMOUTH – Sunday 6 November, 9am – Brougham Heights Motel Conference Room – 54 Brougham Street
LOWER HUTT – Saturday 12 November, 10:30am – 4:30pm – The Dowse Art Museum – Laings Road
HASTINGS – Sunday 13 November, 9am – LBT Centre – Warren Street – Hastings
AFB recognition and competency test application form
Take the AFB 5 minute quiz
How well do you know what you need to know about AFB and beekeeping? Take our short quiz and find out.
Videos
Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.
Symptoms
There’s a lot of good information here, telling you everything you need to know about recognising AFB: the visual symptoms, smell of AFB and more.
Inspection and Diagnosis
Successfully eliminate AFB by telling the difference between symptoms of AFB and other brood diseases in the hive. We tell you the best methods for inspecting your hives.
The Law
New Zealand beekeepers have a number of legal obligations that must be met regarding AFB disease. Read the shortened list in summary, here.
Elimination
Most hives become infected because bees, honey or equipment have been put into a hive from another hive that is infected with AFB. Lower your chances of an AFB infection by reading this section.
AFB Recognition Course Info
Find out when the next AFB Recognition and Competency Courses, or Refresher Courses are available. These are held throughout the year in various New Zealand locations across the South Island and North Island.
The AFB App
Follow the link below to open the App. Once open to save to your device you need to bookmark the URL on your phone so you can find it easily again. Please click here to open.