After years of division, the bee industry has taken the first steps towards the formation of a single organisation that will represent all parts of the industry.
The beekeeping sector has been split between two organisations since 2002 - the National Beekeepers Association and Federated Farmers Bee Industry Group.
The industry is taking steps to form a single organisation to represent it. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
Bee Industry Group chairman John Hartnell said there was strong support at last week's Apiculture Industry conference for a new organisation that would go beyond bringing beekeepers together again.
"And that entity would encompass all factors within our industry, from the beekeepers right through to the packers, the exporters and also the supply organisations, those people who support our industry on a day to day basis, to create an organisation that would represent us in a strong and modern and fresh way as we move forward."
Mr Hartnell said the Bee Industry Group had already confirmed it's support for the new united body.
The National Beekeepers Association will survey its 600 members on the proposal.
