31 May 2011

Bee week 'meeting objectives'

7:49 am on 31 May 2011

The national beekeepers association says bee week, which is in its third year, is starting to hit its target.

Bee Week was established in 2009 to highlight the value of honey bees and beekeeping in New Zealand.

NBA chief executive Daniel Paul says more than one third of food consumed in New Zealand is the result of intensive pollination by bees.

But he says the honey bee is at threat due to pests and diseases.

Mr Paul says Bee Week is really about lifting the profile of bees and how New Zealanders can be proactive in protecting them.

He says Bee Week is meeting its objectives, as the industry has a productive working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and is working more closely with the Environmental Risk Management Authority.

He says one of the biggest challenges facing the bee industry is preventing foreign pests and diseases from entering the country. Bee week runs until the 3rd of June.