Bees across NSW are being locked down with the detection of the devastating varroa mite.

The mite, which hinders bees’ ability to fly and pollinate entered the country via the Port of Newcastle.

As a precautionary measure, the movement of bees around the state has been halted and all bees within a 10 kilometre radius of the port are ordered to be destroyed.

Danny Le Feuvre, Managing Director of the Australian Honey Bee Industry Council joined Deborah Knight on Afternoons with more details.

“When we look at other countries around the world, the quickest movement of Varroa mite is by beekeepers moving their hives,” he said.

“The quickest way to prevent that is a lockdown order.”

Press PLAY below to hear about how the bee lockdown is affecting the honey industry

Image: Getty