The State Government has thrown its support behind a vital Scenic Rim industry, with beekeeping to continue in national parks until 2044.
The move to amend the Nature Conservation Act early delivers on a promise of a reprieve Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk gave beekeepers during last year’s election campaign.
The decision will formally extend beekeeping permits for a further 20 years in certain national parks that were created as part of the SEQ Forest Agreement in 1999.
Under the current Act apiarists were required to transition out of national parks by the end of 2024, however successive Queensland Governments and the industry have been unable to find suitable alternative honey sites for beekeeping.
Queensland beekeepers have consistently warned their industry could be severely impacted if alternative sites for their hives could not be located between now and 2024.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner MP says this was an important decision.
“Amending the act will support the continuation of beekeeping in certain national parks while the Government works with industry and other key stakeholders to identify alternative sites for the future relocation of beekeeping off national parks.
“Nor will beekeeping be allowed in national parks where it was not already authorised immediately before the land became a national park.”
Around 75 per-cent of the beekeeping industry clusters around South East Queensland, including the Lockyer Valley, Toowoomba and Scenic Rim areas.
The Member for Scenic Rim Jon Krause MP says there should be no expiration date on beekeeping in national parks.
“It’s been a long fight for the Queensland Beekeepers’ Association, others in the industry, and one that I was glad to support and encourage all along the way.
“This announcement is great, but I will really say well done to all – including the Queensland Government – when legislation passes Parliament to end the 2024 kick-out date.
“Preferably it should go further and remove the kick-out date altogether, not just kick it down the road 20 years.”
Queensland Beekeepers’ Association President Jacob Stevens says the Association welcomed the 20-year reprieve it has long advocated for.
“It is positive and a step in the right direction.
“While it is good, there is still a lot of work to be done.
“The resources in national parks are second-to-none and critical for keeping healthy bees.”
Mr Stevens says it is crucial for shoppers to support the Australian honey industry.
“It is important for consumers to buy Australian honey.
“While we do get government support, it would give the industry a great deal of certainty.”
Beekeeping services are a lynchpin for Queensland’s multi-billion-dollar fruit and vegetable growing industry, with pollination services playing a critical role in each season’s crop.
Published figures have estimated the honey bee industry contributes approximately $2.4b to the Queensland economy each year.
