22/05/2026
Tasmanian Beekeepers Association
Media release: World Bee Day A sweet reminder to back Tasmania’s bees and beekeepers
17th May 2025 - For immediate release
The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association is encouraging Tasmanians to mark World Bee Day this week by celebrating the small but mighty insects that help keep our food systems, gardens, farms, and natural environment healthy.
Held each year on 20th May, World Bee Day raises awareness of the essential role bees and other pollinators play in food security, biodiversity, and ecosystem health. In Australia, the day is coordinated through the Wheen Bee Foundation, with communities encouraged to get involved through activities such as the Great Bee Morning Tea.
TBA President, Lindsay Bourke, said World Bee Day was a chance to recognise both bees and the beekeepers who care for them.
“Most people love honey, but not everyone realises just how much we rely on bees,” Mr Bourke said.
“Bees help pollinate many of the foods we enjoy every day, they support biodiversity, and they play a vital role in healthy ecosystems.
“Here in Tasmania, beekeeping also supports some of our most distinctive natural products, including our world-renowned Leatherwood honey, as well as pollination services for important agricultural industries.”
The Association said Tasmanians could support bees and beekeepers in simple, practical ways:
• buy local Tasmanian honey
• plant bee-friendly flowers, herbs, and trees
• avoid unnecessary pesticide use, especially when plants are in flower
• provide water sources for pollinators in hot or dry weather
• talk to children and communities about why bees matter
• support strong biosecurity to help keep Tasmania free from major bee pests and diseases.
“World Bee Day is a celebration, but it is also a reminder that bees are under pressure,” Mr Bourke said.
“Beekeepers are dealing with rising costs, changing seasons, biosecurity risks, and the ongoing challenge of protecting hive health. At the same time, bees and other pollinators face threats from pests and diseases, habitat loss and reduced floral resources. “Tasmania is in a fortunate position. We remain free of varroa mite, a destructive honey bee parasite now established across much of mainland Australia. But that freedom cannot be taken for granted.
“World Bee Day is a timely reminder that biosecurity is not just a government issue or an industry issue — it is something that protects our food production, our honey industry, our home gardens, and our natural environment.
“Keeping Tasmania varroa-free for as long as possible will require ongoing vigilance, strong border protections, regular hive monitoring, early reporting and practical support for beekeepers.”
“The good news is that everyone can do something. Whether it is choosing Tasmanian honey, planting for pollinators, hosting a morning tea or simply learning more about bees, small actions add up.”
“On World Bee Day, we invite Tasmanians to enjoy a spoonful of local honey, thank a beekeeper, and take one simple step to make their garden, farm or community more bee-friendly,” Mr Bourke said.
ENDS
Media contacts:
Lindsay Bourke
President 0418 131 256
Jan Davis
Secretary 0409 004 228 [email protected]
About the Tasmanian Beekeepers Association The Tasmanian Beekeepers Association is the peak body representing Tasmania’s apiary industry. It advocates for a strong, sustainable, and biosecure beekeeping sector, supporting honey production, pollination services, industry development, and the protection of Tasmania’s unique beekeeping environment.
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