Supporting beekeepers in their fight against AFB

The AFB proposal has been submitted to the Minister

Review of the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan

The Management Agency has submitted a proposal to the Minister for Biosecurity to extend the Biosecurity (National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan) Order 1998 (AFB PMP) for another 10 years, beyond its expiry date of 1 April 2023. Through an extensive consultation process, we have used beekeeper ideas to develop this proposal for the next 10 years of the AFB PMP.

Round 3 Consultation

Summary of proposed changes for submission to the Minister

Thank you to all the beekeepers that participated in the third round of consultation for the future of the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan (AFB PMP). Your Round 3 feedback enabled us to propose detailed changes to the AFB PMP for submission the Minister.

We heard you and are committed to implementing the changes that beekeepers supported. 

This booklet presents an overview of the proposed changes to the plan order, including a summary of submitter support and The Management Agency’s response to the proposed changes. A full version of the proposal can be found here.

What’s next in the AFB PMP consultation?

The Consultation Process

Between June 2021 and September 2022, three rounds of consultation were conducted on what, if any, new plan rules or powers are needed in the National American Foulbrood Pest Management Plan (AFB PMP).

Consultation Round 1
June – July 2021 (complete)
Beekeepers were invited to share their ideas on the AFB PMP via submission.

Consultation Round 2
November – December 2021 (complete)
We used your input from Round 1 to propose major changes to the AFB PMP. We informed, engaged and consulted with beekeepers on issues and opportunities. We sought your feedback via online submission.

Consultation Round 3
August – September 2022 (complete)
Your Round 2 feedback enabled us to propose detailed changes to the AFB PMP. We informed, engaged, and consulted with beekeepers on the proposed changes. We then sought your feedback via online submission.

You can view the full timeline and schedule of the consultation process, as well as the corresponding booklets, information and recorded webinars below.

What happens next?

The Management Agency has submitted the proposal to the Minister for Biosecurity. The Minister will consider whether the proposal meets the requirements specified by the Biosecurity Act 1993 before amending the current plan order. The Management Agency expects that the new plan order will be made in 2024.

The Consultation Timeline

Round 3 Consultation (Complete)

The 3rd round of the AFB PMP consultation took place during August – September 2022

The roadshows and webinars held throughout August and September 2022 gave beekeepers the opportunity engage, consult and give feedback on the proposed changes to the AFB PMP. A survey was provided to gather beekeeper feedback to the proposed changes.

A booklet was prepared to summarise beekeeper consultation, as well as the proposed changes to the AFB PMP.

  • Click here to download the proposal summary from round 3.
  • Click here to download the full draft version of the proposal from round 3
  • Click here to watch a recording of the webinars held during round 3.
  • Click here to view the full cost benefit analysis of the AFB PMP.
  • Click here to view the full Analysis of Beekeeper Submissions: Summary Findings.
  • Click here to view the full Analysis of Beekeeper Submissions and Response.

Round 2 Consultation (Complete)

The 2nd round of the AFB PMP consultation took place during November – December 2021

The roadshows and webinars held throughout November and December gave beekeepers the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback on the proposed changes to the AFB PMP.

A booklet was prepared to summarise your submissions as well as the recommended changes to the AFB PMP.

  • Click here to download the booklet from round 2.
  • Click here to watch a recording of the webinar held during round 2.
  • Click here to view the full Analysis of Beekeeper Submissions: Summary Findings
  • Click here to view the Analysis of Submissions: Qualitative Findings (Appendix 1)
  • Click here to view the Analysis of Submissions: Quantitative Findings (Appendix 2)
  • Click here to view the full Analysis of Beekeeper Submissions and Response.

Round 1 Consultation (Complete)

The 1st round of the AFB PMP consultation took place during June – July 2021

Clifton King, National Compliance Manager at The Management Agency, presented in PowerPoint format at the Apiculture Conference 2021.

  • Click here to watch a recorded webinar from the 1st round of consultation.
  • Click here to view the PDF presentation on the AFB PMP review.
  • Click here to view the full Analysis of Beekeeper Submissions
  • Click here to view the full Analysis of Beekeeper Submissions and Response

Consultation FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the legal definition of a ‘beekeeper’?

A beekeeper means a person who owns beehives.

What is the proposed legal definition of an ‘employee beekeeper’?

An employee beekeeper means a person employed or contracted by a beekeeper who undertakes honeybee husbandry procedures.

What is the definition of ‘corporation’?

The Biosecurity Act 1993 defines corporation as “a body of persons, whether incorporated or not, and whether established in New Zealand or elsewhere”.

Will the proposed changes to the AFB PMP require beekeepers to pay for additional laboratory testing for AFB?

No, the proposed changes to the AFB PMP will not require beekeepers to pay for additional laboratory testing. Beekeepers will continue to be able to make commercial decisions to use or not to use laboratory tests for AFB.

The Management Agency is proposing that diagnostic laboratories must supply all AFB test results to the Management Agency including the name and address of the person that submitted the sample and the beekeeper whose honeybees, bee products or appliances were sampled. Provision of these test results will enhance the Management Agency’s ability to monitor the AFB elimination progress of beekeepers.

Does the existing AFB PMP enable the use of new technologies to detect and eliminate AFB, e.g. qPCR?

Yes, the existing AFB PMP contains provisions that enable the use of new technologies to recognise and eliminate AFB. The effectiveness of new technologies must be scientifically proven, and the research demonstrating the technologies effectiveness must be generally accepted by the scientific community.

AFB Quiz
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.

AFB Videos
Videos

Our videos cover everything from your legal obligations to how to recognise AFB, collecting cell and bee samples and more.

AFB Symptoms
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.

AFB Inspection and Diagnosis
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.

AFB Law
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.

AFB Elimination
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 Course Info
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.

HiveHub