To make sure that Australia remains free from pest bees and bee pests, an early warning system called the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program has been designed.

Funds are needed for the system and for which beekeepers have been urged to vote on a proposal that aims to increase the honey levy. The levy is paid by beekeepers who produce more than 600 kilograms of honey per year.

Currently, the levy is acting as funds for research, biosecurity activities and testing. Chairman of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council (AHBIC), Ian Zadow said it is not only vital to vote for the proposed biosecurity levy increase, but also to vote 'yes' for the same.

"Catching bee pests and pest bees when they first arrive greatly increases the possibility of eradicating an incursion, and limits the scale and cost of any eradication program", said Zadow.

In recent years, great advancements have been made by the National Bee Pest Surveillance Program. One of the significant advances is rise in the number of sentinel hives to more than 120 at high risk ports across the nation.

Zadow said with the help of advanced technology, they are able to monitor beehives at high risk ports 24/7. Hobby beekeepers, state government staff and federal biosecurity teams are put on duty to find out and come up with a response to possible attack, further said Zadow.

Australia is also into exporting of queen bees and packaged bees. It is considered that the surveillance will help in maintaining the pest-free status in export negotiations.

It is vital to catch these pests as they can wipe out a significant number of managed hives and the feral European honey bees. These bees are quite beneficial in pollinating food crops.