Last week the Department of Agriculture announced it is ending a $5 million national program to eradicate Asian bees. A campaign has been launched to have the Asian bee decision reversed before the end of March 2011. A gathering of beekeepers is planned at Parliament House in Canberra on 2 March 2011. Here is an extract from an email received from one of the drivers of the campaign, Jodie Goldsworthy:
"In regard to Australian Beekeepers Breakfasts on the 2nd March invitations will be sent out to politicians by the end of this week inviting them to join us for breakfast inside Parliament House. The public will be invited through the press release and media plan to come and join us for breakfast outside of parliament house for an all day Australian Honey breakfast. All beekeepers and packers who produce honey will be invited to supply their honey to have on toast, crumpets and pancakes. Fresh fruit will also be served to the public showcasing the many things that result form our industry. A procession of beekeepers trucks will be planned to take place from Eagles Nest outside of Canberra along the Federal Highway through Canberra, across Commonwealth Bridge and around the Parliamentary circuit and back. More details on these event will come out . Notification with the Australian Federal Police have been submitted for the event and therefore there are a number of things we will need to comply with. We will be asking beekeepers to REGISTER in order to be an “official” participant in the activities.
We are also planning the arrival outside of Canberra by beekeepers will occur on the 1st March with an afternoon planned that briefs beekeepers about all the important aspects necessary to make this campaign successful. Together we will meet and hear from the speakers closest to the activities that have resulted in this decision, the campaign will be explained and the KEY MESSAGES REHERSED. Details will shortly follow on accommodation, bus details, venue and all the logistics of this event.
We intend to appoint State based “organizers” to be the contacts for bringing together the people to Canberra and being phone contact points for their state colleagues to ring with questions. Some of you will shortly be asked to do these jobs and there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to help make this a success so please feel free to offer.
To sustain the campaign and use it to in the long term leverage on issues that are “state based” it is planned that there may be rallies that need to occur in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and perhaps other places where those further away from Canberra can show their support."
You can follow the campaign at: www.securefoodsavebees.com |
