The inquiry into the future development of the Australian honey bee industry was referred to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 15 March 2007 by the then Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Peter McGauran Truss MP. The inquiry lapsed at the prorogation of the 41st Parliament on 15 October 2007. The inquiry was re-referred to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Primary Industries and Resources by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Tony Burke MP on X May 2008. A copy of the terms of reference is at page xi.

The committee’s inquiry was advertised in April 2007, inviting members of the public to make written submissions for the committee’s consideration. Letters inviting submissions were also sent to all State Premiers, Chief Ministers, relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory government departments and peak bodies and individuals. Information concerning the inquiry was also made available on the committee’s website.¹

During the inquiry, the committee received 92 submissions, from a range of Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies, industry organisations, companies and individuals. A list of submissions received by the committee is at Appendix C. A list of other documents of relevance to the inquiry which were formally received by the Committee as exhibits can be found at Appendix D.

The committee held 6 public hearings for the inquiry. These provided the committee with opportunities to hear at first hand the views of the people affected by current and future issues concerning the Australian honey bee industry. A list of the organisations and individuals who gave evidence to the committee is at Appendix E. The transcripts of evidence recorded from the public hearings, along with the submissions, are available on the committee’s website.