In the 2025–26 financial year the Beekeepers Producers’ Committee (BPC) supported three key industry-focused projects. These initiatives collectively focused on delivering essential support services to beekeepers, promoting industry sustainability, and ensuring timely and effective communication between stakeholders.

Words Jacqui Kay, Communications Officer, APC

BICWA Industry Services

BICWA continued to support the Western Australian beekeeping sector by uniting beekeepers and industry stakeholders, fostering collaboration, and improving overall industry profitability.

In 2025/26, funded by the BPC, BICWA facilitated the delivery of a range of essential services to fee-paying producers. In biosecurity and pest management, this included promoting hive registration and best-practice biosecurity measures such as the advanced trial of the Bee Sentry Units to increase state border protections. Also, advocating for effective inspection systems and pest and disease management, and actively engaging with government and biosecurity forums to safeguard industry interests.

Funding also supported research, education and training through collaboration with research organisations to support beekeeper education and training initiatives, and representation of industry priorities in research planning and opportunities.

Advocacy and industry representation included representing Western Australian beekeepers at state and national levels. BICWA continues to call on the Federal Government to take further action to ensure the investigation into the Varroa incursion continues andgenerates meaningful improvements in the Australian biosecurity system. Further advocating for improved policy settings, biosecurity protections, funding support, and coordinating unified industry responses to legislative and regulatory changes.

BICWA engages with beekeepers and stakeholders through meetings, digital platforms, and direct communications, facilitating knowledge sharing, networking, and industry connection.

This communications mix ensures beekeeper perspectives are reflected in key decision-making processes.

These services have contributed to enhanced industry coordination, improved access to information and better resilience across the Western Australian beekeeping sector.

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WAAS Industry Services

WAAS focused on the development and delivery of accessible online training resources to support the growth, capability, and sustainability of the Western Australian beekeeping sector.

The project provided practical, regionally relevant guidance for new and intermediate beekeepers, while also supporting pathways into semi-commercial and commercial operations.

The focus of the training modules was:

• Education and skill development

– Development of practical training materials covering key beekeeping topics relevant to WA conditions

– Support for new and intermediate beekeepers to build foundational skills and confidence

– Creation of pathways for hobbyists to transition into commercial operations

• Accessible and ongoing learning resources

– Delivery of freely available content through WAAS digital and social media platforms

– Provision of enduring resources that remain accessible beyond the funding period

– Flexible learning opportunities suitable for a wide range of experience levels

• Promotion of best practice and sustainability

– Guidance on responsible beekeeping practices, including biosecurity, hive management, and disease control

– Support for sustainable beekeeping aligned with environmental and industry expectations

– Promotion of beekeepers as responsible stewards of natural and agricultural environments

The project has contributed to improved knowledge, skills, and confidence among Western Australian beekeepers. By providing accessible and practical training resources, it supports improved hive management, stronger biosecurity practices and more sustainable beekeeping operations.

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Beekeeper communications

VEGWA have revitalised what was the BeeInformed News with integration into the widely distributed WAGrower publication. This has increased the reach, accessibility and impact of beekeeping news across Western Australia. This initiative supports stronger industry connections and promotes a more integrated understanding of the relationship between beekeeping and the broader horticulture sector.

• Improved distribution of industry information

– Integration of BeeInformed content into WAGrower significantly increased the audience reach

– Delivery of relevant, timely information to both beekeepers and horticultural producers

– Development of more diverse and accessible content for a broader readership

• Enhanced industry awareness and understanding

– Increased awareness of key beekeeping issues, risks, and opportunities across the horticulture sector

– Improved understanding of pollination services and their role in agricultural productivity

– Greater recognition of the value of beekeepers within the agricultural supply chain

• Stronger communication and collaboration

– Improved communication pathways between beekeepers and horticultural stakeholders

– Encouragement of collaboration and knowledge sharing across industries

– Strengthened industry relationships and engagement

• Highlighting industry interdependencies

– Promotion of the critical link between pollination services and horticultural outputs

– Increased awareness of shared biosecurity risks and responsibilities

– Support for more integrated and sustainable agricultural practices

Positive outcomes for beekeepers include improved access to hive site opportunities, increased recognition of their role and better awareness of industry risks and opportunities. For the horticulture sector, the project has enhanced understanding of pollination services, improved awareness of biosecurity considerations, and supported more collaborative and resilient industry practices.

More information

Together, these projects have delivered meaningful outcomes for both beekeepers and the broader agricultural sector. To help keep these valuable services up and running please ensure you are up-to-date with your compulsory annual fee for service. Visit www.apcwa.org.au for more information.