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.