THE Federal Government's $300,000 commitment to provide an early warning system for the deadly varroa mite could go further, according to bee industry experts.
The Government this week announced the sentinel hive program, which will alert authorities when foreign bees potentially carrying varroa arrive, will be funded for the next two years.
But industry figures say a baited-hive program, which could lure the invading bees into hives to be eradicated, should complement the sentinel program.
The tiny varroa mite has wiped out wild-bee populations across the world, most recently in New Zealand.
Experts fear if it arrived in Australia, the cost of pollination for crops such as stonefruit, almonds and pome fruit could double overnight.
Free pollination from wild bees could become a thing of the past.
Honeybee Research and Development Advisory committee chairman Des Cannon said baited hives would attract newly arrived bees, so an extermination could be carried out by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service.
"It would be good if (the sentinel-hive program) were topped up with a baited program," Mr Cannon said.
"Our effort (at keeping varroa out) has been good but if you look at what NZ spent on the South Island alone, they spent $800,000 on surveillance."
Retired CSIRO entomologist Max Whitten said if sentinel hives were left unmonitored they could harbour exotic bees.
"They could well provide a bridge for the imported bees into other populations," Mr Whitten said.
Queensland Beekeepers president Rodney Ruge said the Government could invest money in having AQIS inspect a higher volume of shipping containers.
"That would be money well spent. To rely on the honesty of ship captains is too big a thing," Mr Ruge said.
"They're on a deadline, they're just like a truckie - in and out of port, and time is money."
Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the Government "recognises the importance of rigorous quarantine and biosecurity measures to protect our valuable agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries".
"The Australian honeybee industry is fortunate to be free so far of varroa," Mr Burke said.
"In addition to the $300,000 commitment, I also asked Roger Beale AO to respond to the honeybee inquiry's findings in his report on our overall quarantine and biosecurity system."
The report is expected to be released before Christmas.
