![SWEET TREAT: Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall and NSW Apiarists Association president Stephen Targett try some honey. Photo: Peter Hardin SWEET TREAT: Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall and NSW Apiarists Association president Stephen Targett try some honey. Photo: Peter Hardin](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/jessica.worboys/beacbf97-065f-4c9b-af4e-03cf02ba4fb6.jpg/r0_0_5208_3472_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
DROUGHT, bushfires, and floods have meant difficult times for bees, but things are beginning to look up.
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The search for more locations for beehives is just one of the many focuses of a $1.9 million state government package for the apiary industry, to help beekeepers and their buzzing friends recover.
Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall announced the funds for industry projects at the NSW Apiarists Association conference in Tamworth on Thursday.
Other projects using these funds include establishing pollinator-friendly plants, upskilling beekeepers with subsidised courses in biosecurity and queen breeding, establishing a 'honey library' by profiling the unique chemical composition of NSW honey, and other research projects.
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NSW Apiarists Association president Stephen Targett said after the "tough" year, it was good news for the industry.
"It's been tough, we've been kicked with the drought, then bushfires, and then floods, and hives were lost in all of those, but fortunately we've had good rain in the last 12 months over winter and spring and weeds are bees' best friend," Mr Targett said.
"Our bees live for a short period of time so we've bounced back very quickly, far quicker than the cattle and sheep industry and things like that."
![There was quite a display of different types of honey at the conference. Photo: Peter Hardin There was quite a display of different types of honey at the conference. Photo: Peter Hardin](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/jessica.worboys/ee0e7446-2e1b-4d3b-80ec-47c3810bac66.jpg/r0_0_3179_4756_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Mr Marshall said the government would be looking at sites like state forests, travelling stock reserves, and land which is owned by various government bodies.
"I'd love, but it would require a change of legislation, to allow apiarists to use some sections of national parks because bees are not just great producers of honey, they can also help improve environmental conditions and biodiversity in sensitive areas as well," Mr Marshall said.
"We already produce 45 per cent of Australia's honey in NSW, and I want to see that grow, I want to see NSW produce more than half of Australia's honey right here, because it's the best honey."
Kootingal beekeeper Ray Hull backed this idea.
"If the state government can open up some of the national parks and things that haven't been burnt and haven't been drought-effected, we can make some money out of that," he said.
Thursday's conference, held at the West Tamworth Leagues Club, saw beekeepers from across NSW and QLD gather to discuss the latest equipment used in the industry, new updates on techniques and courses and much more.
The conference continues on Friday, and a beekeeping field day is going ahead on Saturday at the Tamworth Jockey Club.
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![More hive sites under microscope after tough year for bees More hive sites under microscope after tough year for bees](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/jessica.worboys/09ddc59f-3fd2-4a39-8734-e0eda1ac0d8a.jpg/r0_0_610_130_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)