Australia abuzz over bee threat

Scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization have warned that a significant decline in European honeybee populations across Australia could cost its economy up to $5.1 billion.

The dramatic prediction came in a CSIRO report released on Tuesday that identified 12 "biosecurity megashocks" posing a threat to Australia's agriculture industries, economy and environment.

Among them are a human disease pandemic, invasion of a devastating wheat disease and European honeybee colonies being wiped out.

CSIRO Biosecurity Flagship Science Director Dr. Gary Fitt said: "Losing this free pollination service would severely impact production of several fruit and vegetables, including avocados and almonds."

Fitt said these three events alone could "devastate Australia's agricultural industries, economy and environment, and could severely alter our way of life."

"As an island nation, Australia has largely been able to maintain strong biosecurity. However, the 12 biosecurity megashocks identified in this new report could turn into reality if we become complacent with our nation's biosecurity measures," he said.

Fitt said it was much better to pre-empt and avoid biosecurity issues than have to deal with the consequences.

"Dominating the news right now is the Ebola virus crisis, which is an obvious global health concern," he said.

"Meanwhile, farmers near Katherine, in the Northern Territory, are dealing with an outbreak of a new disease - cucumber green mottle mosaic virus - and while not fatal to people like Ebola, this virus is devastating their crops, which has severe financial impacts."

The new report outlines an examination and assessment of what Australia needs to do, biosecurity-wise, to protect its "environment, industries, people and way of life over the next 20 - 30 years."

"We have identified a number of important trends, such as the need to produce more food for a growing population while dealing with ongoing pressure on the key soil, water and biodiversity resources, which sustain production," Fitt said.

"These trends will produce new challenges for all our plant and animal industries, our environment and human health."

(China Daily 11/26/2014 page10)