You may have heard some news reports about a new infestation of varroa mites that are infecting millions of bees in NSW, threatening the whole of Australia's honey industry as beekeepers are being forced to destroy tens of thousands of hives.

But what exactly are these tiny insects, why is this happening now, and what is the risk to all of Australia's agricultural sector if there are not enough bees left to pollinate our crops?

The Quicky speaks to a beekeeper and an expert in food resources to find out if this could destroy Australia's honey industry, or if there is a way to turn this situation to our advantage.

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CREDITS 

Host: Claire Murphy

With thanks to:

Sue Carney - Vice President of Amateur Beekeepers Australia, founding president of Blue Mountains Beekeepers and keeps bees in Langstroth, Flow and Warre hives

Associate Professor Patrick O'Connor - An ecologist in the Centre for Global Food and Resources at the University of Adelaide

Producer: Claire Murphy

Executive Producer: Siobhán Moran-McFarlane

Audio Producer: Thom Lion

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