The use of plastic in beehives

Abstract

Beekeeping is well entrenched into the plastic age, however the regulations set by our governing body, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), and the New Zealand Government seem to be lagging behind developing apiculture practices regarding the use of plastic. This article will cover the impact of plastic on the apiculture industry and the mostly unexplored consequences of using plastic with little to no regulation. It is evident that given the importance of apiculture industry to New Zealand’s export industry, that the lag in the regulations may at worst impact the brand name of honey from New Zealand which could be devastating to beekeepers across the country.