Steph Cooke MP
Member for Cootamundra

​​Monday, 18 July 2022​ An $18 million compensation package has been developed for registered beekeepers affected by the varroa mite outbreak, under an agreement reached by the Commonwealth and State governments and industry. The National Management Group (NMG) for Emergency Plant Pests has also endorsed a National Response Plan to eradicate Varroa Destructor from NSW. Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke welcomed the support and encouraged local beekeepers to keep doing thei

​​Wednesday, 29 June 2022​ NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders has encouraged beekeepers to be aware of their responsibilities under expanded biosecurity zones which have come into force as part of the emergency biosecurity response to Varroa mite. Minister Saunders said NSW Department of Primary Industries biosecurity officers had now traced a total of 7 infested premises, including the initial detection at sentinel hives near the Port of Newcastle. “A new report of an