Bees from 1533 hives have been destroyed between the central and mid-north coasts of NSW and in Narrabri in the northwest of the state, NSW Agriculture Secretary Dugald Saunders said.
“It’s a significant number of bees,” he told AAP on Thursday.
Each hive contains between 10,000 and 30,000 bees, meaning between 15 million and 45 million bees have been euthanized in an effort to control the parasite since it was first discovered near Newcastle harbor on June 22. .
“(Bees) are breeding again very quickly, but it’s about making sure you have all the people who still want to stay in the industry after it’s been decimated in this way,” the minister said.
A bee movement ban remains in effect in NSW, with almond industry representatives calling for the beehives to be moved in time for pollination in August.
Mr Saunders said he was confident there would eventually be a way to move the hives, but the lockdown remained in effect for now.
“It’s about making sure we don’t risk moving a devastating disease into an area that it’s not currently,” he said.
“If we can have a good way of identifying where hives come from to be part of the pollination, and if everyone feels safe about how that might work, then great.”
The minister was still optimistic that the deadly mite could be contained, but said continued cooperation from beekeepers was crucial.
“Everything we do still works. We are finding more infected properties, as expected. They are all connected, which is the good news.
“We haven’t seen an unexpected outbreak anywhere. We’ve just seen everything related to a previous case, and that’s important.”
Experts from New Zealand came this week to offer advice after the Varroa mite infested that country 21 years ago.
“The plan was to give a few key people… a little bit of advice… as to whether there are other things we haven’t thought of,” Saunders told AAP.
Compensation for commercial beekeepers is still being worked out and guidance is provided for those who need it.
“People are feeling a bit desperate, and everywhere we look there are floods now too. It just adds to the stress,” said Mr Saunders.