Man seeks redundancy (for a good cause!)
Tuesday 13 April 2010, 9:04AM
By National Beekeepers' Association of New Zealand
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A Wellington man who’s bucking the trend and actively seeking redundancy says he’s doing so to save New Zealand $3 billion.
The April cover of the New Zealand BeeKeeper journal showcases AFB National Pest Management Strategy manager, Rex Baynes, calling for beekeepers to put him out of a job.
Rex is leading the fight to eradicate American Foulbrood (AFB), a bacterial disease which often kills infected bee colonies.
The AFB pest management strategy is one of only two national pest strategies operating in New Zealand under the biosecurity Act – the other targets bovine tuberculosis.
“If AFB is not managed carefully, there would be a loss in bee colony numbers and that would significantly impact on our $3b pollination industry,” Mr Baynes said.
“That, in turn, would seriously affect our hugely important horticulture and agriculture exports.”
However, Mr Baynes says there would be no need for his job, and he’d cheerfully accept a ‘don’t come in Monday’ notice, if beekeepers complied with the law and worked together to better manage and eliminate AFB.
“I’m desperate to play more golf but as long as we still have AFB in New Zealand I’m committed to managing the strategy that’s trying to control it.”
Eliminating AFB from New Zealand is being hindered by the fact that not all beekeepers register with the Pest Management Strategy.
“That’s illegal and the control authority is seeking to crack down heavily on non-compliant beekeepers,” Mr Baynes warned.
“Beekeepers who don’t comply with the laws of the AFB strategy stop us from controlling the disease as effectively as we’d like.
“We have the system, we have the tools, but we’re reliant on beekeepers to do the right thing.”
All NZ beekeepers are required to register their hives and complete an annual disease return accurately, honestly and on time.
”All joking aside, beekeepers need to appreciate that this is an extremely serious issue and if we don’t control the disease there will be major consequences for both hobbyist beekeepers and the industry as a whole.
“And if we catch non-compliant beekeepers they will face significant financial and exporting penalties.”
Mr Baynes says it is not an offence to have AFB.
“But it is an offence not to register your beehives under the AFB strategy, and to not take the appropriate action if you suspect your hives have AFB.”
While not totally hopeful of fulfilling his redundancy dream any time soon, Mr Baynes is cautiously optimistic that his dream to play golf seven days a week is not out of reach.