Good grief,
Oz is right, the response when apis cerana was first observed was mainly because of the varroa threat not the poor pollination. So far though, none of the colonies destroyed have had varroa. I haven't read up on it yet, but is this the reason they are stopping funding? Or is it because apis cerana has completely gotten away?
We are still the only varroa free country. We certainly need to do something, because if there is not an effort to seek out colonies, then the new ones that island hop their way here might have varroa! And they multiply so much, there needs to be more action, not less.
Now, how much funding is involved in one bloke and a small team responding to sightings and moving their sugar tray closer till they find the colony?
I wouldn't be surprised though to hear the daintree is completely overrun already. It is dense rainforest, and in the area where they have been. The tablelands has a lot of rainforest, and west of there is sparse population, large stations where they could hide. Phil, here is a little geography lesson. I am 5 and a half hours fast drive south of the Atherton Tablelands. The tablelands and Cairns area had been quarantined and bee movement prohibited. They stopped the quarantine at one stage but I suppose they put it back when they found more colonies.
I am upset to hear this. Maybe they are saving pennies for disaster relief and closing any programs they can. Bob Katter lives here somewhere. If he doesn't like asian bananas, he certainly won't care for asian bees.
All right, I found his phone number on a calendar on the fridge. I might give him a call when I find out more. 1300301942
Lone