Tomato Farms want Tasmanian Bees

October 14, 2008

Tasmanian bee pollenates a leatherwood flower. Tomato growers are eager to hear from the Federal Government about a proposal to boost their yields and save on labour.

The Australian Hydroponic and Greenhouse Association has put in an application to introduce bumble bees from Tasmania to the other states for pollination purposes.

They’ve applied before and been knocked back, because of worries about how the bees would affect the environment if they escaped from the greenhouses.

But north-west Tasmanian tomato grower Marcus Brandsema says this application is watertight.

“There are always issues when you’re introducing a species into a country that wasn’t there initially – nobody wants another cane toad,” he says.

“But the study that has been forwarded to the government looks at the whole issue in very great depth to make sure that they are going to be a benign introduction.”

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Written by Matt · Filed Under Beneficial Insects, Hydroponics News