Australian almond harvest in jeopardy as ‘Covid for bees’ strikes apiaries

Discovery of varroa mite at Newcastle port has led to NSW beehives being locked down with a potentially devastating effect' on crops

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The discovery of a deadly parasite being described as Covid for bees" has had an immediate impact on apiaries, with a ban on movement across New South Wales, but is also likely to affect other agricultural industries, including the upcoming almond blossom season.

Every August, the almond industry requires 300,000 beehives to pollinate the national crop, which represents the largest movement of livestock in the country.

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