Beekeeper seeks compensation for loss of hives

Following the probable varroa cross-contamination cock-up, a New Zealand beekeeper is now seeking compensation for the destruction of 40 of his hives. The hives in South Island (belonging to Murchison Trees and Bees) are to destroyed because a varroa mite was discovered in a sample — although even the testers agree that the presence of varroa was probably through cross-contamination from a sample from North Island where varroa is already known to be widespread.

Under New Zealand's Biosecurity Act, it seems the beekeeper has the choice of receiving the market value of the hives or compensation.