Hive register

[Dr Mark Goodwin]

I assume the AFB management agency (beekeepers) pay a lot of money for the computer programme that records where our hives are. We discussed the need for the register when we set up the strategy. Fine when the GOVT was paying for it, but is needed for the strategy. We just needed people to tell us where their hives when we want to inspect them. For deca holders this was easy as it could be made a condition. For everybody else we just needed to record who were beekeepers and the district their hives were in.. Even easier to do now the we don't have an apiary levy. Sure people will have to report AFB so we can do cute maps

Sure we cant notify people where an AFB has been found but most AFB is spread in in beekeeping outfits so it is not a big thing. Harder to do exotic bee surveys but that is the job of the management agencies.

So assuming we can get information on hive sites when it is asked for, which can be arranged, it is a lot of money to be paid for notifications of AFB hives in you area and drawing up inspection maps

So the question we need to is whether the money spent on the register could be better spent elsewhere

 

[Alastair]

Sure we cant notify people where an AFB has been found but most AFB is spread in in beekeeping outfits so it is not a big thing.

Yes and no. AFB is certainly spread between outfits. We can see this demonstrated in Auckland city, where hobbyists with a handful of backyard hives and no direct exchange of equipment or contact with other beekeepers, who have never had AFB before, get AFB. And this happens constantly.

 

[tristan]

So assuming we can get information on hive sites when it is asked for,

assumption is the mother of all stuff ups.
getting correct information out of people is difficult and we have no shortage of reports of people withholding that info.

So the question we need to is whether the money spent on the register could be better spent elsewhere

it is very much required and a useful tool. its can help id problem beeks and where to focus resources.