Beekeepers welcome new agreement

The state's beekeeper association has welcomed the signing of an agreement giving them better access to leatherwood trees.

The agreement between Sustainable Timber Tasmania and Tasmania's Beekeepers Association was signed last month, and will allow beekeepers better access to leatherwood trees on publicly managed land.

This year's fire season wiped out hives and large amounts of valuable leatherwood trees, with honey production dropping by about 600 tonnes. 

Tasmania's Beekeepers Association President Lindsay Bourke said he hoped the support of the Australian Bee Industry Council would spark other states to sign similar agreements. 

"It's very pleasing for us as we want to have assurance we'll be able to continue beekeeping and not lose our valuable resource, which is leatherwood," he said.

ABC Net   11/11/19