Issues

Bumblebee Technology

An application submitted by the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association (AHGA) for the live import of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris onto mainland Australia for the purpose of pollinating greenhouse crops, is currently before the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). The DEWHA will assess the environmental risks of this proposal. The process involved the preparation of a draft report to the Department in 2005. This was listed on the DEWHA (then DEH) website for public comment and was also circulated to government departments for their comments. At the end of this period the comments were provided to the AHGA for a response and an opportunity provided to amend the draft report. A final report plus the responses to both sets of comments has been submitted to the DEWHA. A brief and recommendation will be prepared for the Minister who will then make a decision.

If the submission passes this environmental risk phase it will then have to undertake an import risk assessment for pests and diseases with AQIS. If successful at this stage it will then be up to Biosecurity Australia to issue a permit.

The Executive Summary from the Final Report and a Bumblebee Fact Sheet can be downloaded from this website.

1. Download ‘Bumblebee Fact Sheet’: Low-Quality / High Quality

2. Download ‘Executive Summary’: Standard-Quality

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