It’s good to know it’s not the end of the world. I get the sense Australian farmers and the industry are so used to having far fewer pests and diseases than overseas (thanks to really good biosecurity) that it might really cost them to adapt, and those costs will be passed onto the consumer of course…

Definitely good for the native ecosystem, I agree, sadly of little concern or value to most in times of economic pressure.

I’m guessing it’s too many hobby farmers and anti government/homesteading types who don’t understand the seriousness of this shit, it’s like Covid all over again. Plus I’d heard feral bee colonies were an issue too.

But I’m surprised you didn’t know it was here, if it’s a topic of interest? Varroa mite was big news earlier this year when it was first detected in NSW, the reporting was rather dire.