Present

Mr T Gavin, President in the Chair, Messrs D Bell, A Taiaroa, L McKenzie and Mrs Jane Lorimer, members of the Executive. Executive Elect, Messrs R Hatfield and P Cropp.
Executive Secretary, Mr T Leslie and Secretarial Advisor, Mr S Goodman.

Welcome

The President welcomed all to the 2000 conference and thanked the Poverty Bay Branch for their excellent organisation.

Conference Prayer

Mr Peter Burt read the Conference Prayer.

Procedural Motion

"This meeting acknowledges that the notice of the Annual General Meeting was deficient in that it did not state the starting time or the nature of the business intended to be conducted.  However, this meeting is satisfied that all members have now received adequate notice of the meeting and the agenda.  In the circumstances this meeting confirms the validity of the AGM, notwithstanding non compliance with the technical requirements of the notice provisions under the Association's rules."

Mr Terry Gavin / John Berry
CARRIED

Mayoral Welcome

Mr John Clark, Mayor of Gisborne District welcomed the delegates to Gisborne.   He touched on the weather and varroa and wished the NBA a good conference.

Mr A Taiaroa thanked the Mayor and presented him with a broad leaf tree for the Botanical Gardens

Presidents Address

Mr Gavin presented his annual address.

T Gavin/T Lorimer - CARRIED

Apologies

Blair Dale, Nick Wallingford, Peter Bray, John and Helen Wright, Steve Weenik, Dudley Lorimer, Dr Jim Edwards.

McKenzie/Bensemann -CARRIED

Membership:-
Obituaries

Keith Herron and John Heinemann (Otago), Trevor Rowe (Southern North Island), Jack Davies (Southland), Lloyd Holt (Rotorua), Chris Dawson.
The meeting observed a minute's silence.

Roll Call

Life Members    4
Hon Members   0
Past Presidents    6

Results of Executive Elections were announced.

New Branch Life Members: Bob Blair, Jim Thompson, Auckland

Procedural Motions

Timekeeper - Fiona O'Brian was installed as timekeeper.
Scrutineers - Steve Olds and Mark Goodwin confirmed.
Speaking times:-

"That the speaking times be: 4 minutes for the mover and 2 minutes for the seconder and subsequent speakers."

T Gavin/G Cammell - LOST - 26/28

"That the speaking times be: 5 minutes for the mover and 3 minutes for the seconder and subsequent speakers."

McCaw/Hyink - CARRIED - 80/3

Minutes

"That the minutes of the 1999 AGM and Conference of Branch Delegates are an accurate record."

McKenzie/Cropp - CARRIED

Report - Hort Research

Louise Malone, Hort Research, Mt. Albert reported on bee research undertaken in the last 12 months focusing on Nosema Research.

The meeting adjourned at 10.20am for Conference Photo and Morning Tea

Meeting reconvened at 10.50am.

Address from Minister of Agriculture, Hon Jim Sutton.

The Minister spoke of the varroa discussion and took questions from the floor.   He stated that "there will be a long term control plan with the input of the industry."

Jane Lorimer thanked the Minister for his address.

Reports

AgriQuality

Mr Murray Reid reported on the last 12 months and answered questions.

Marketing

Jane Lorimer reported and thanked her committee.

Publications

Tony Taiaroa reported and thanked the committee.

Mr Cammell moved a vote of thanks to the families of the Association's late Librarian, Mr John Heinemann.

Exotic Disease Investigation Committee

Mr Peter Berry reported and highlighted the need for the industry to be ever vigilant of what goes on around the world that can threaten our bees.   Also the need for protocols for the import of safe resistant genetic material, e.g. Semen and Queen Eggs.

Meeting adjourned for lunch at 12.30pm.

Meeting reconvened at 1.30pm for an afternoon forum with MAF Biosecurity and Policy personnel to move the industry forward under varroa.

The forum concluded at 5.30pm

20/7/00

Special Meeting of branch delegates to consider rule changes convened at 8.00am.

"This meeting acknowledges that the notice of the Special General Meeting was deficient and that the proposed rule changes were not forwarded to members within the 21 days required.   However, this meeting is satisfied that all members have now received adequate notice of the meeting and the proposed rule changes.   In the circumstances this meeting confirms the validity of the SGM and the ability for it to discuss and vote on the proposed rule changes, notwithstanding non compliance with the technical requirements of the notice provisions under the Association's rules."

Terry Gavin / Richard Hatfield.
LOST - 5 in favour - 6 against

Mr Hyink then moved the withdrawal of the rule changes.

Seconded B Ross - CARRIED

At 8.09am moved " That the Conference of Branch Delegates start at 8.15am."

Cammell/Lorimer - CARRIED 10 for 1 against

Peter Berry and Gerrit Hyink asked that their votes be recorded against the start time.

Voting on Remits commenced.

Remit 1 - Auckland Branch

"That this conference recommends to the Executive that they seek an improvement in establishing the location of the registered sites of beekeepers. Our branch feels that it should be obligatory to identify the site by using:

The Nationwide Rapid Response Number of the property.

An accurate description of where the site is to be found on the property.

An accurate Grid Reference.

The existing occupier's name as well as the owner's name of the property to be kept updated.

That the law on displaying the beekeepers Registered Number be enforced.

NOTES - The work involved in finding sites in the recent Varroa outbreak, has caused concern to our Branch.   Many hours have been wasted in searching for sites where:-
Rapid Response Numbers though available and displayed have not been used.
Changed landscapes such as trees, hedges and buildings being removed or resited.   Descriptions where only local knowledge can identify such as - against the rear boundary - 1k. on left past "So and So" Road.   (Travelling North or South?)

The accuracy of grid refs should improve with the excellent location advice now used on the rear of the Annual Decease Return.
Existing occupiers are often so out of date the recorded owner is not even known.
It has been found that very few Beekeepers display their registered number.

Some idea of the difficulties can be judged when it was found that beekeepers working their own district could check about a dozen sites, whereas those working outside their areas could manage only half that number.  The toll on beekeepers and staff working extremely long hours on this Varroa outbreak have been so great that the inaccuracy in site recordings must be tidied up.

An ammendment was moved to read:
"That this conference recommends to the Executive that they seek an improvement in establishing the location of the registered sites of beekeepers"

Branch voting: For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 14    Against 0    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 2 - Auckland Branch

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that there be penalties imposed on beekeepers with unregistered sites.   If penalties do already exist, that they be actioned as an example to offenders."

NOTES - As a result of the introduction of Varroa, AgriQual recorded that by the 18th of May 2000 just over 5 weeks later, 228 beekeepers had reported 927 sites containing 12515 hives which had been unregistered.
How this equates to disrupted travel and work programs is impossible to estimate, but a Mafquals calculator put into action would soon calculate the cost to NBA in lost levies.

Branch voting: For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 16    Against 0    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against Carried    Lost

Remit 3 - Auckland Branch.   Withdrawn on the motion of Cammell/Russell.    CARRIED

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive, that the NBA investigate means of ensuring all owners of bee hives comply with registration requirements."

NOTES - The exercise undertaken to establish the extent of the Varroa Mite outbreak, has identified a current lack of incentive to comply.

Branch voting: For:    Rule 26 f (i) 16    Against Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference.   Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against Carried    Lost

Remit 4 - Auckland Branch

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that a Pest Management Strategy is not required for the future management of the Varroa Mite."

NOTES;   Our Branch feels that it does not want a repetition of the excessive expenses involved with the present PMS for American Foul Brood.

Branch voting: For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions 1    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting: For:    Against 15    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 5 - Canterbury Branch

"That this Conference recommend to the Executive that the present Apiary Rating System be changed to a Base Fee and Hive Stock Levy System where everyone who keeps bees pays the base fee plus so much per hive stock unit."

NOTES:   Members please leave voting with delegates, to allow a full and frank discussion.

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)   Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 5    Against 11    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For: 571    Against 542    Carried    Lost

At 9.00am during the counting of a Poll Vote, Mr M Bush presented the annual report of the PMS Review committee.

Meeting reconvened at 9.45am and adjourned at 10.15am for morning tea.

Reconvened at 10.45am and Mr Gavin Moved and L Mckenzie Seconded that Mr Mike Stucky chair the Conference of Branch Delegates.

Mr Murray Reid then spoke about the Roy Paterson trophy and announced this year's winners:

1st Dick Sconfield
2nd Gerrit Hyink
3rd Ian Berry

Mr Bill Floyd then spoke about the food innovation awards.

Dr David Woodward, Telford, presented a report on Telford's activities.

The Conference of Branch Delegates reconvened at 11.15am.

Remit 6 - Canterbury Branch

"That this conference recommend to the Executive that the Apiary Register be maintained only for the use of disease and pest control."

Ammendment moved to read:
"That this conference recommend to the Executive that the Apiary Register be maintained for the use of disease control."

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 1    Against 15    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 7 - Canterbury Branch

That this conference recommend to the Executive that they actively pursue a bee warning on all surfactants (wetting agents).

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 16    Against 0    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 7 - Canterbury Branch

"That this conference recommend to the Executive that they lobby for a symbol to be placed on all chemicals toxic to bees."

Ammended to read:
"That this conference recommend to the Executive that they lobby for a symbol to be placed on all agricultural and horticultural chemicals toxic to bees."

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 16    Against 0    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Conference adjourned at 12.35pm for lunch.

At 1.35pm Mt Stucky called delegates to order for an informative talk from Mr John Gates, MAF British Columbia on varroa monitoring.

Conference reconvened at 2.10pm.

Remit 9 - Waikato Branch

"That this conference recommends to Executive that they seek to get the Exotic surveillance around the high risk areas of Airports, ports and landfills to be reactivated and improved, at the Government's expense."

Amended to read:
"That this conference recommends to Executive that they seek to get the Exotic surveillance around the high risk areas of Airports, ports and landfills to be reactivated and improved."

Branch voting: For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 16    Against 0    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 10 - Waikato Branch

"That this conference recommends to Executive that an investigation on an area freedom of honey bees around ports and airports to be carried out."

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions 2    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 7    Against 7    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 11 Waikato Branch

"That this conference recommends to the Executive that it declares the industries opposition to the commercial growing of Genetically engineered crops and the use of Genetically engineered organisms in Beekeeping."
Amended to read:
"That this conference recommends to the Executive that it declares the industries opposition to the commercial growing of openly pollinated Genetically engineered crops in New Zealand."

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 15    Against 1    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 12 - Waikato Branch

"That this conference recommends to Executive that in light of the hardship that Varroa has brought to the Beekeeping industry in dealing with it, that they investigate government assistance packages for financially disadvantaged beekeepers."

NOTE:    This could be in the form of low interest loans for sugar etc.

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 15    Against 1    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 13 - Otago Branch

"That this conference recommends to executive that it investigate the NBA becoming an affiliate member of Federated Farmers of New Zealand (Inc)."

NOTE:   That the NBA as an "Association" become an affiliate, not NBA members be affiliated as individuals.

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 14    Against 2    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 14 - Southern North Island Branch

"That this conference recommends to the Executive that a review of the relevant Parliamentary Acts controlling Beekeeping be undertaken and amended where it is shown to be causing confusion or not meeting the Industry's expectations."

Amended to read:
"That this conference recommends to the Executive that a review of the relevant statutory instruments controlling Beekeeping be undertaken and amended where it is shown to be causing confusion or not meeting the Industry's expectations."

Statement of case:
Last year's remit from the SNI branch although passed has not been acted upon. In view of the changing circumstances the Beekeeping Industry now finds itself in, a comprehensive review should be undertaken immediately.

Some points requiring attention:
Definition of an Apiary amended to read "hives within a RADIUS of 100 meters".

Commodities Levies (Bee Products) Order - Amend:
Levy for the coming year is calculated based on the number of apiary sites on the apiary register as at that date - 1 June. Amend including all apiaries registered during the last 12 months.

That the NBA should have the provisions to back levy beekeepers deliberately not registering apiary sites and impose penalty payments on top of this.

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 15    Against 1    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 15 - Southland Branch

"That this conference recommends to the Executive it lobby the Government to re-establish an apicultural advisory service to educate beekeepers and work with them to co-ordinate local disease and parasite detection and treatment programmes."

Notes:
Maintenance of a healthy and viable population of honeybees is of vital importance to the wider economy.
Detection of Varroa was at least two years too late.   The next exotic outbreak must be detected promptly.
Both the Nelson EFB scare and the Varroa outbreak have reportedly revealed levels of undetected / unreported / untreated clinical AFB which are far too high.
The propensity of collapsing mite infested populations of honeybees to decamp and overwhelm another hive makes it essential that if treatment is needed and in a district all hives in the vicinity are at least monitored and preferably treated simultaneously.   Advice and co-ordination is necessary.
Should chemical treatment be required to control varroa it is important that it be delivered in such a manner that resistance not be developed.   This is not just a matter for individual beekeepers but a collective concern and warrants a high level of education and monitoring.

Branch voting:    For: Rule 26 f (i)    Against    Abstentions 2    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For:    14 Against    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Remit 16 - Southland Branch

"That this conference recommends to the Executive that they investigate changing the payment of hive levies by commercial beekeepers to a system of four equal quarterly payments."

Notes:

District Council rate demands provide the ratepayer with the option of paying in instalments or the balance owing on the due date. We suggest a similar system.
A survey could be included with the next commodity levy invoice to determine the demand for change.

Branch voting:    For:Rule 26 f (i)    Against Abstentions 2    Rule 26 f (ii)

With Delegate. Rule 26 f (iii)    Taking my Votes to Conference. Rule 26 f (iv)

Conference voting:    For: 7    Against 7    Carried    Lost

Poll vote result:    For:    Against    Carried    Lost

Late Remits (in order presented to conference)

Remit 17 McCaw/I Berry

"That

At 3.00pm Mr Ivan Dickinson reported on the last year for the Honey Industry Trusts.

Meeting broke at 3.05pm for afternoon tea and returned at 3.25pm.

Late Remit to 2000 Conference

Moved:-    Allen McCaw

Seconded:-    Ian Berry

Remit:
"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that they immediately take the necessary actions to develop and implement a plan in partnership with MAF for the control of Varroa mites in New Zealand, following the recommendations of MAF Biosecurity, being:-

Phase 1 An immediate assisted treatment programme
Phase 2 A two-year control programme
Phase 3 A long-term control programme

Remit
"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that; to slow the spread of Varroa, sensible boundaries be established as limits to movements of "hives".
Notes: These limits on movement should be set in consultation with Branches to avoid undue hardship and should be legally enforceable.
"Hives" in the remit includes the schedule as listed in the MAF circular letter dated 28 April 2000.
Ron Morison
Secretary
Hawkes Bay Branch

Remit

"That this Conference recommends to Executive that they carefully prepare a competent strategy to the effect of lobbying Government for continuing long term financial commitment for Varroa control.
Moved:-     Stephen Lee

Seconded:-     Lin McKenzie

Remit - D.A Newton

"That this Conference recommends that the cost of E.U. residue testing programmes be the responsibility of the NBA."

Remit - Otago
"That this Conference recommends to Executive that the Otago Branch host 2001 Conference of delegates and the AGM."

Late remit Russell Berry

That this Conference recommends to Executive that they support and action as required and where possible the following statement:-

The public and Government are now very aware of the high beneficial effect bees have on the New Zealand economy.   This general pollination cannot be charged directly to the end user.

The NZ Government by its actions of not keeping out or eradicating varroa has severely lessened the ability of NZ beekeepers to provide the traditional general free pollination service.   This will adversely affect the economical farming of beehives, throughout most of NZ.   Because of this, beehive numbers will decrease greatly and severely decrease this free pollination service, unless government pays a general pollination fee of $50 annually per beehive, payable to the NBA for a minimum of 20 years.

Compulsory membership for all beekeepers - no levies.   One vote for every hive.

The approximate $15,000,000 generated annually would be used to benefit the beekeeper by:-

	Cost	Est. Total
1	Paying beekeepers annually per beehive $25	$7,500,000
2	2. Paying varroa positive hives in the first instance an additional per hive amount of $20	$2,000,000
3	Pay 15,000 hours for delimiting work carried out @ $40	$ 600,000
4	Research Varroa	$1,000,000
5	Six executive members, 10-20 hrs per week annually $30,000	$ 180,000
6	Running the Register of Apiaries	$ 100,000
7	Exotic surveillance	$ 100,000
8	PMS AFB	$ 150,000
9	Employ two people in the North Island and two in the South Island to assist with varroa education, exotic surveillance, AFB PMS and to assist with beekeeper general quality assurance and production matters, annual total cost per person $100.000	$ 400,000
10	For each hive receiving a levy, the Bee club or Branch to which a beekeeper must belong to one or the other, to receive the payment per hive for education and administration	$ 600,000
11	Annually a sum to be set aside under secure investments to be used for delimiting survey in the next exotic bee incursion	$ 250,000
12	Varroa mite surveillance. Half hives every yard of bees in NZ every year, 150,000 sticky boards, 30,000 miticide strips (use 10 times each) price including reading of sticky boards	$1,000,000
13	Administration. To replace the approx. existing $400.000 levy Plus additional admin costs	$1,000,000
		$14,880,000

No movement control except for from North to South Island.
Compulsory numbering of all hives with bar code issued by NBA.
This pollination payment to the beekeepers will overcome the adverse affect of varroa mites lessening pollination of NZ's agricultural and horticultural crops.

The Conference of Branch Delegates finished at 4.10pm.

Mr Gavin resumed the Chair and called for Nominations for President:

Richard Hatfield         F Lindsay/R Benseman

Mr Hatfield assumed the Chair and called for nominations for Vice President.

Don Bell               G Cammell/S Cranfield
Jane Lorimer         F Trewby/R McCannon

Mrs Lorimer declined nomination.
Mr Bell elected unopposed.

Annual Report

Mr P Berry questioned Hawke's Bay Membership figures.   The Executive Secretary will check them.

It was also pointed out that the Trust report should be added and the fact that Federated Farmers acted for no charge from October 12, 1999 to January 1 2000.

T Lorimer/A Taiaroa - CARRIED

Annual Audited Financial Statements
J Lorimer/L McKenzie - CARRIED 50 for, 2 abstentions

2000 Budget
L Lorimer/P Cropp - CARRIED 40 for, 2 against, 4 abstentions

Auditors

"That the Auditors for the 2000 year be PriceWaterhouseCoopers."

CARRIED

General Business

The meeting agreed that "The Management Agency for the AFB PLUS ensures that the functions of the PMS Review Committee are transparently separated from the implementation aspects of the strategy."

Mr Cammell asked what is happening about new apiary and hives since the arrival of varroa.   The Executive Secretary pointed out that the NBA is taking legal advice on follow up and levy collections from these people.

Mr Eckroyd asked that drums for export are cleaned well.

Mr S Lee asked about the committee for structural change and pointed out that somehow the Executive should measure its performance.   He also made the point that rules are there for the hard times as well as easy times.

Jane Lorimer made a presentation on behalf of Coracell Ltd to the three men who found varroa - George Scott, Bevan Lipscombe and Harry Fleming - all from Auckland.

Francis Trewby thanked Mr Gavin for his 12 months as President.

Mr Hatfield thanked retiring Executive Member, Anthony Taiaroa and Mr Gavin for their hard work on behalf of all New Zealand beekeepers.

Mr I Dickinson thanked Mr Goodman for his wise head and counsel this week.

Mr Hatfield thanked the Poverty Bay Branch and closed the meeting at 5.30pm.

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