#bees

A Central Coast beekeeper has gathered more than 25,000 signatures behind a petition to stop the State Government euthanising bees as part of the response to the Hunter's varroa mite outbreak.

Hunter beekeepers are optimistic a new compensation package will keep the industry alive as New South Wales grapples with the varroa mite crisis.

Hunter beekeepers are facing a tough future, after a deadly parasite detected at the Port of Newcastle has led to emergency orders across the state.