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Parliamentary Questions


Question Without Notice No. 1518 asked in the Legislative Council on 3 December 2019 by Hon Colin De Grussa

Parliament: 40 Session: 1

BEEKEEPING — PRESCRIBED BURNING

1518. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Environment:

I refer to the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions' prescribed burning program and the potential impact of prescribed burns on beekeeping.

(1) What consultation did DBCA undertake with beekeepers during the 2019 prescribed burning season?

(2) Can the minister please table any protocols or standard practices for consultation with beekeepers?

(3) How will the state government incorporate feedback from beekeepers into future prescribed burning plans?

Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:

I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.

(1)–(3) The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertook a range of consultation measures with beekeepers across the state during the spring 2019 prescribed burning season. At a regional level, DBCA's regional leaders of fire management contacted the industry nominated regional apiarists to discuss the indicative prescribed burning plans for their region. Meetings also occurred between senior DBCA staff and the beekeeping section of WAFarmers and the Bee Industry Council of Western Australia.

DBCA and BICWA have agreed to a range of industry engagement commitments, which are being implemented. DBCA will continue to work closely with beekeepers and industry representative bodies as key stakeholders on prescribed burning. Using the mutually agreed engagement model, DBCA continues to incorporate feedback from beekeepers into prescribed burn planning and operations at both a statewide and regional level.