Rural Aid bee campaign to help beekeepers

The rural charity has launched Buy a Bee campaign, with the support of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council.

Rural Aid chief executive John Warlters said the situation is volatile and distressing for beekeepers across the country.

"Beekeepers are in an awful state right now as they anxiously wait for news on how far the Varroa destructor mite has spread," he said.

Australia's littlest livestock, its precious European honey bees, are under siege from the hive-destroying Varroa mite.

The parasite was first detected in hives at the Port of Newcastle but has quickly spread to multiple locations across NSW.

Rural Aid is offering beekeepers and their families free counselling through its nation-wide team of qualified counsellors.

"The Department of Primary Industries has identified mental health strain as the biggest issue currently facing these primary producers," Mr Warlters said.

"Rural Aid is proud to be able to offer beekeepers immediate assistance in this area."

Australian Honey Bee Industry Council chairman Stephen Targett said the contribution of honey bees to agriculture through pollination services is estimated at up to $20 billion - "and the start of the pollination season is just weeks away, which demonstrates what an enormous threat this crisis poses to our industry".

"Without urgent support, some of our beekeepers will struggle to survive financially," he said.

"We are calling on the public to back our beekeepers now, not just for their sake, but for the sake of Australia's entire agricultural and food production industries."

Rural Aid is also supporting affected beekeepers with financial assistance in the form of $500 pre-paid Visa cards.

Mr Warlters encourages people to show their support by donating to Buy a Bee.

"Rural Aid has been supporting beekeepers for years through its HiveAid program, created during the Black Summer bushfires in partnership with honey bey council and Hive + Wellness, the nation's largest honey packer, best known for its Capilano branded honey," he said.

Buy a Bee campaign, under the HiveAid umbrella, will assist beekeepers as they take on the Varroa mite.

How can you help?

Donations can be made HERE

Beekeepers who aren't already registered with Rural Aid are encouraged to do so HERE