Strengthening honey bee biosecurity collaboration through the Asia-Pacific
October 28, 2025
With support from the Crawford Fund for Food Security NSW Committee and the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Australia Asia–Pacific Bee Biosecurity Collaboration Group (AusPacBee) hosted a hands-on honey bee diagnostics workshop at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute this month.
“Participants from the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Western Australia and South Australia explored key aspects of honey bee diagnostics – including virology, bacteriology, and entomology – while sharing their expertise and building lasting professional connections,” said Dr Chris Anderson, the workshop convenor and NSW Deputy Chief Plant Protection Officer from the NSW Department of Primary Industries & Regional Development.
“This workshop marks an important step in a broader DPIRD-led initiative to strengthen regional collaboration on honey bee biosecurity, helping Australia and our Asia-Pacific neighbours work together to safeguard bee health and the vital industries that depend on it,” said Chris.
AusPacBee was established in 2024 following a meeting between NSW DPIRD and leading scientists and professionals from the University of the Philippines, the Philippines Department of Agriculture, and the Filipino beekeeping industry.
“The program plans to continue delivery of knowledge exchange opportunities that will strengthen Australia’s readiness for bee biosecurity threats,” he concluded.
