Importing queen bees or semen from overseas via a port, airport or post entry quarantine facility

Anyone seeking to import queen bees or bee semen into Victoria from overseas via a port, airport or post entry quarantine (PEQ) facility must notify Agriculture Victoria by email plant.protection@agriculture.vic.gov.au, providing the following details:

• Full name and contact details (phone, address and email) of importer
• What you are importing (e.g. queen/s and/or bee semen)
• Source country and source apiary details (name and address)
• The date the queen/s will enter Australia and will be received by the PEQ facility
• The date the queen/s will be released from the PEQ facility and enter Victoria
• The date the semen will enter Australia via a Victorian port or airport and the location of the port or airport
• The destination details (receiver name and address) and intended use once the queen/s and/or semen are introduced into Victoria
• The interstate destination details (receiver name and address) and intended use if the queen/s and/or semen will be exported from Victoria

Once notification has been received of an intended import, a risk assessment will be completed by the Chief Plant Health Officer Branch that will ensure important biosecurity checks have been undertaken to mitigate any biosecurity threats posed.

Any Victorian certification requirements will be identified as part of the risk assessment and may include the importer being issued a section 10 licence, health certificate and/or varroa permit.

To avoid any delays to introduction, notify Agriculture Victoria well in advance of the intended import.