How did the beekeepers arrive at this position? A chronology.
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association formed in 1946 to halt the needless destruction of mature Leatherwood trees because these are the trees that support the industry: they flower reliably and profusely.
Early 1960s
Clearfelling and burning is introduced and broad scale destruction
of Leatherwood begins.
1990
Forestry researchers recognize that clearfelling and burning policies
are unsustainable (Neyland and Hickey, 1990, Leatherwood Silviculture implications
for apiculture, TasForests 2: pg 63-72) and advise beekeepers to seek Leatherwood
outside of areas subject to clearfelling and burning.
The first Pollination Services conference is jointly organised by the Tasmanian Beekeepers Association and the State Department of Primary Industry.
1992
The Forests and Forest Industry Council (FFIC), which beekeepers
have been a member of since 1990, commissions a study on the Leatherwood
nectar resource (K.I. Ziegler, Leatherwood Resource Report, FFIC, 1993).
1997
The Regional Forest Agreement promises to enhance and develop the
beekeeping industry but at the same time $65 million is given to the State
to intensify forest practices dependent on clearfelling and burning. Beekeepers
are given the community forest agreement which only retains small, token
areas of Leatherwood if possible and where practical.
2001
Beekeepers start to rally again and in 2002 a submission is made
to the Resource Planning and Development Commission (RPDC) inquiry into
the Southwood project which beekeepers see as an exercise to continue and
even speed up the conversion of Leatherwood in old growth forests to regrowth.
This is followed by a submission to the RPDC inquiry into the implementation
of the RFA in August 2002.
August 2002
The association writes to many orchardists and seed crop growers
in Southern Tasmania (where the bulk of pollination is required) soliciting
their support for resource security over the remainder of the accessible
Leatherwood on state forest lands.
October 2002
The Forests and Forest Industry Council (FFIC), which beekeepers
have been a member of since 1990, commissions a study on the Leatherwood
nectar resource (K.I. Ziegler, Leatherwood Resource Report, FFIC, 1993).
November 2002
Forestry Tasmania and the Tasmanian Beekeepers Association agree
to have more formal planning sessions to try to incorporate Leatherwood
management into their planning processes more thoroughly. After two years
of this process and much time spent by beekeepers in mapping Leatherwood
in coupe designs, important Leatherwood areas are still being scheduled
for clearfelling and burning.
December 2002
Forestry Tasmania publishes it's Facts on Bees advertisment
in The Mercury. The Association responds with a press release rebutting
the ad.
March 2003
The Forests and Foresty Industry Council (FFIC) set up the Apiary
Working Party (AWP), a joint Ministerial council (involving Parks: now Paul
Lennon, Forestry: now Bryan Green and Primary Industry: now Steve Kons).
April 2003
The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association develops the Leatherwood
Management Code as its response to the recommendation of the RPDC.
December 2003
Following more press coverage of the situation, Forestry Tasmania
publishes a slightly modified advertisement of their earlier Facts on
Bees piece in The Mercury. The Association responds with it's own half
page advertisement called The True Facts on Bees. Forestry Tasmania
gives no response.
February 2004
The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association makes a submission to the
Legislative Council scrutinizing Forestry Tasmania. A full report is available
in the March newsletter.