The National Management Group (NMG) met on 8 July 2025 and established a nationally cost-shared response to eradicate red dwarf honey bee (Apis florea; RDHB) in Western Australia. The NMG is comprised of all Australian governments and affected industries who are signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed.
The NMG approved the RDHB Eradication Response Plan (Response Plan) and committed $7.5 million to achieve the response objectives. The Response Plan is being cost shared by all Australian governments and the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council.
RDHB was first detected in March 2023, on the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. Exotic bees, including the RDHB, are a pathway for the introduction of exotic bee pests and diseases of the European honey bee, and so their eradication is essential to the protection of the Australian environment and agricultural industries.
The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is leading the nationally coordinated and funded response and is working with local businesses, and industry to undertake appropriate response activities. More information on response activities is available on https://www.dpird.wa.gov.au/businesses/beekeeping/pests-and-diseases-in-honey-bees/.
Reporting suspicion of pests and diseases is easy and vital in protecting Australia. If you suspect the presence of RDHB, contact the national Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. You can find out more about how we respond to plant pest and disease incidents at outbreak.gov.au.