Submitted by admin on April 22, 2009 - 22:46
Legislation and Disease Control
Under the Apiaries Act of 1927 all apiaries must be registered with the Horticulture Division, Department of Agriculture. All bees must be kept in hives with removable frames and beekeepers must permit their hives to be inspected by Government officers who keep a close watch for disease. The importation of bees is controlled by legislation to stop diseases being brought in. So far New Zealand has been kept free from Acarine disease, one of the worst and most destructive. American brood disease (Bacillus larvae) is a constant threat, but the rigorous system of inspection of hives by Government officers has kept this at a very low level. Diseased hives are destroyed.
The Government has recognised, by its substantial aid, the industry's great value in providing both a popular food and an invaluable pollinating service for agriculture. Apiaries are constantly inspected by officers of the Department of Agriculture; and the Department has for many years provided research services at the Wallaceville Animal Research Station. The soundness of the industry is due not only to this Government help but also to the ready cooperation of beekeepers through the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand to keep the industry as efficient as possible, and to the continual effort to keep legislation up to date to cope with new problems.