Training

An AFB Recognition course is run by NZ Bee Health & Biosecurity and is aimed to teach beekeepers how to recognise the signs and symptoms of AFB.  It also covers how to inspect a hive for AFB, how to prevent AFB from spreading, how to implement quarantine procedures and teaches good management practices and how to effectively destroy any AFB-infected hives.

Attending an AFB Recognition course is essential for all beekeepers.  Learn how to recognise the early signs of AFB (American Foulbrood) to ensure your hives stay healthy and free of AFB.  Gain confidence in identifying AFB symptoms early to prevent its spread.

Even if you do not wish to become a DECA holder, all beekeepers are encouraged to attend an AFB Recognition course which will help to familiarise you with what is normal and what is not in your working hive. This ensures that the detection and recognition of AFB is caught early and eliminated, prior to spreading.

Yes, there is an assessment at the end of the course content consisting of 25 questions to test your knowledge of what you have just been taught.  If you have reading or learning difficulties, you are welcome to bring a support person with you to a classroom course.

The cost is $100 (incl GST) per person for the full course and assessment.  This is the cost for both the online and classroom courses. 

Attending the course and passing the assessment is one step towards becoming a DECA holder.  You must also show compliance with all rules of the AFB Pest Management Plan.  A good explanation of the DECA process can be found here.

The classroom courses are held all over the country in most main centers.  It is a one-day course starting at 9am through to approx. 3pm. 

Locations of our classroom courses can be found here.

Yes!  We have our AFB Recognition Course and assessments available online.  You can register for either online or classroom.

Not everyone has to become a DECA holder, some beekeepers are happy to let an authorised person inspect their hives each year for their annual COI.  However, for the New Zealand beekeeping sector to collectively eliminate AFB, all beekeepers must know the signs of symptoms of AFB to ensure early detection and decisive actions and avoid it spreading.

Click here for further information on the DECA.

The Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement (DECA) is a formal agreement between the beekeeper and NZ Bee Health & Biosecurity (NZBB).

Beekeepers that enter into a DECA with NZBB are committing to eliminate AFB from their beehives by carrying out the AFB elimination practices and procedures specified in the agreement and specific to their own beekeeping operation. In recognition of this commitment, NZBB provides the beekeeper with an exemption from the Certificate of Inspection requirements.

NZBB regularly monitors all DECA holders’ performance for AFB management and may ask for it to be reviewed or amended if a year-on-year increase is observed.

This is an abbreviated version of the full course that every DECA holder should attend (either online or via a classroom course).  This is to ensure you are up to date with the signs of symptoms of AFB within your colonies.

If there is not a 2-hour classroom refresher in your region, DECA holders are welcome to attend any full course as a refresher.  They can leave when the other beekeepers start the test.  Alternatively, we have a FREE online refresher which is self-paced and can be completed anytime.

This book is called The Elimination of American Foulbrood Disease without the Use of Drugs.  It is a very valuable tool for all beekeepers, and we encourage everyone to become familiar with its contents.  Every person who signs up for an AFB Recognition Course (either classroom or online) will receive a free copy of this book once their course payment has been processed.  If you wish to purchase a copy of this book, the cost is $25 (inc GST).  Email training@nzbb.org.nz to order one.

Please click here to refer to the chart showing the pathway to getting your DECA back.  As part of this pathway, we would require you to attend an AFB Recognition Refresher course, you are not required to sit the AFB Recognition test again.

If you have a group of eight or more workers, we may be able to have a local trainer come visit your operation and do an in-person refresher course during your quiet time of the year.  Alternatively, your team could complete the online refresher on a rainy day.  They would also be welcome to attend a local community course if there was one nearby.