An advisory committee has been established within SA to help protect the state's bee industry from the threat of Varroa destructor.
Since its detection in June last year at Newcastle, NSW, Varroa mite has spread within NSW to a point eradication is no longer thought possible nationally.
The new South Australian Varroa Industry Advisory Committee will advise PIRSA during this transition to management phase.
The committee will include two representatives from the Beekeepers Society of SA, two from the SA Apiarists' Association and one nominated by national body the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council.
There will also be representatives from large commercial beekeepers and the pollination dependent industries.
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said the Varroa destructor was a threat to Australia's honey and honeybee pollination plant industries.
"It's estimated that establishment of Varroa destructor in Australia could result in losses of over $70 million to pollination dependent industries alone, so it is very important to get its management right," she said.
Ms Scriven said the new advisory committee would have a key role in providing advice, expertise and insight to PIRSA as it plans, implements and monitors the state's response to the Varroa mite threat.
"I am confident that the group represents an excellent cross-section of expertise to ensure that we will have the benefit of robust advice when making critical decisions about Varroa," she said.
There are no known cases of Varroa mite within SA's borders.
