​​Forico generating a buzz for Tasmania’s bee population​

About 

Climate change, pests, and destruction of natural habitat are seeing bee populations decline at an alarming rate worldwide, adversely affecting our entire ecosystem. 

After the Australian government abandoned its varroa mite eradication strategy in 2023, Tasmania became the last safe haven in Australia for bees. While the mite has not yet reached Tasmania, the state’s beekeepers are concerned about its potential spread. 

Key Initiatives 

Forico, an Australian asset managed by New Forests, partnered with Tasmania’s beekeepers to enhance their practices and protect the local bee population. As part of its commitment to sustainability, Forico supports the Tasmanian beekeeping industry by granting registered local beekeepers access to its conservation lands; the company manages 77,000 hectares of natural forest and grassland under management for conservation purposes. Under this scheme, some areas can be utilised as hive sites during the blooming months of the regional vegetation, while others provide storage for hives during the cooler period. 

Michael Rocca of  Anroc Farms, President of the Northwest Beekeeping Association— a branch of the  Tasmanian Beekeepers Association— who produces honey and honey products from around 250 hives, each with about 50,000 bees, across the summer season. He stores his hives in a patch of natural forest managed by Forico over winter, and crosses Forico’s estate to access hives on forestry land in summer.

Impact 

Supporting beekeepers and the bee population is one of the ongoing sustainability projects Forico is responsible for in ways which will benefit nature and biodiversity for future generations.   

Statistics

It has been estimated that pollination services from honeybees contribute $4-6 billion annually to the Australian economy.  

Mr Rocca says.

“Their conservation efforts and provision of natural forest areas for hive storage not only support sustainable beekeeping practices but also contribute to the preservation of Tasmania’s unique flora. This partnership allows us to produce high quality honey while ensuring the wellbeing of our bees throughout the year.”