The truth will out

New Zealand's National Beekeepers Association (NBA) is protesting that honey may soon be imported into the country. A biosecurity risk analysis has concluded that the risks of importing disease aren't that high. The beekeepers' argument seems pure protectionism.

Since varroa arrived in the North Island, the country has lost 1990 beekeepers, 3171 apiaries and 27,314 hives. The NBA fears more losses with resulting impacts on pollination, lower honey prices etc.