Minutes of the National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand
(Inc), National Executive Committee Meeting 01-02 Number 1 held
30 & 31 August 2001 commencing @ 9.30am on the 30 th .

1. Present

Executive: Don Bell (President), Lin McKenzie (Vice President),
Jane Lorimer, Philip Cropp, Fiona O'Brien and Gerard Martin.

Executive Secretary

Tim Leslie

No apologies

2. Welcome

President Don Bell, welcomed all to the first full meeting of the
2001/2002 Executive and particularly welcomed Fiona O'Brien and
Gerard Martin.

Don stressed that Executive members should maximise their time on
the Executive and not turn their positions into a penance. The
NBA is now seen as the industry organisation in a corporate
world. It is more than ever before accountable to the membership.
Decisions made by the executive are final and that people sitting
around the table are collectively responsible for decisions
taken.

3. Minutes

"Minutes of meeting 08 held June 15, 2001 are an accurate
record."

McKenzie/Lorimer Carried

Matters arising - Nil

Actions Meeting 08

Action 8.1

If the EU issue is not sorted out by the Conference, the NBA and
AgriQuality enter into binding mediation. Tim and Don to progress
over the next week and if no results start to get Mike Smith
involved. Lin McKenzie to find a mediator in Queenstown.

Addressed at the meeting with AgriQuality in Hamilton on July 16.

Action 8.2

Lin McKenzie to continue and finalise by Conference.

Finalised with agreement to buy policy time.

Action 8.3

Terry Gavin and Tim Leslie to progress the AgriQuality issues and
seek a meeting with AgriQuality prior to visiting Queenstown.

Meeting held July 16.

Action 8.4

Phil Cropp to update progress on 6.10 – 6.12 as a post meeting
minute note.

Signed off.

Action 8.5

Tim Leslie to forward O’Brien and Martin copies of the MAF audits
and AgriQuality Contract.

Signed off.

Action 8.6

Tim Leslie to create an up to date draft constitution of the NBA
using the new rules.

Signed off.

Action 8.7

Send a copy of Minister Burton’s letter to PMS Committee
Chairman.

Signed off.

Action 8.8

Tim Leslie to continue work on debt ageing reporting and
vigorously uphold the levy collection policy.

Underway.

Action 8.9

Tim Leslie to supply portfolio holders and committee chairmen
with their respective pages of the monthly financial reports.

Is now happening

Action 8.9

The portfolios to review their monthly figures with the Finance
Committee so that at the Planning meeting a three-year plan can
be formulated.

Underway.

Action 8.10

Lin McKenzie to write up a report from the meeting of 14 June
2001 and ensure it goes in Beekeeper.

Signed off.

Action 8.11

Tim Leslie to forward the Trust Application of M Morris to the
Environment Committee without comment.

Signed off.

Action 8.12

T Leslie to write a response and circulate to the Executive prior
to sending.

Signed off.

Action 8.13 Library to supply a borrowing policy and a
collections and acquisitions policy.

Underway.

4. Correspondence:

"That the inwards correspondence be accepted and the outwards
approved."

MAF: Request For Proposal

VOAC: Minutes 18 July 2001 Meeting

MAF: Small scale management information paper

Hon J Sutton: Acknowledgement

MAF: Options for long-term Varroa Management

MAF: Turn down of NBA Tender

BoP Branch: Inviting Exec to their September Meeting

Cooney, Lees & Morgan: DECA Arbitration

Crombie & Lockwood: Insurances

Hon Lianne Dalziel: Response to our letter re immigration issues

Primary Production Select Committee: Biosecurity Amendment Bill

Rural Women NZ: Copy of letter to Minister Agriculture re
Compensation

Waipa District Council: Proposed Plan Changes

Waikato Branch: Copt of letter to Minister of Agriculture

MAF: Draft Audit report AP2 training

Outwards

A beekeeper: Levy

Branches: Minutes, rule changes & other AGM material

AgriQuality: Carr AFB case

Minister Agriculture: Copies of AFB case correspondence

Carr: AFB case follow-up

S Weenink: DECA Arbitration

Minister: Immigration Request for help with overseas beekeeper
entry

Sustainable Farming Fund: Application and follow-up

Branches: SSFund

Hon J Sutton: Supporting Waikato Beekeepers

MAF: Tender for Varroa Extension

A McCaw: Thanks for conference

BoP Branch: Acknowledgement of request

Cooney, Lees & Morgan: Arbitration

Cropp/Lorimer Carried

Jane Lorimer excused herself from the meeting @ 9.50am to attend
a meeting with Technology NZ to discuss possible marketing
project funding.

5. The minutes of the NBA Executive meetings held in Queenstown
24 July & 27 July 2001 were tabled.

Meeting adjourned @ 10.00am for morning tea.

Meeting reconvened @ 10.20am.

"The minutes of the NBA Executive Meeting, 24 July 2001 be
accepted as an accurate record."

McKenzie/Lorimer Carried

"The minutes of the NBA Executive Meeting, 27 July be accepted as
an accurate record."

McKenzie/Martin Carried

6. The Carr AFB incident was discussed and the incident
controller/recorders report was tabled.

Discussion about the costs associated with the incident was held.

"That the incident controller for the Carr AFB be paid at the
rate of $25.00 per hour plus GST and expenses. Further, the
Executive Secretary to invoice Carr for the NBA's expenses as
agreed."

McKenzie/Martin Carried

7. Reports:

Mr Bell welcomed, as an observer, Richard Hatfield to the meeting
@ 11.25am.

Jane Lorimer returned to the meeting at 11.35am.

Mr Hatfield left the meeting at 11.55 am.

Varroa

Discussion held on the return of strips.

The Executive agreed that the agreement agreed at the time of
distribution that strips not returned be paid for.

Mr Bell reported that the Varroa Management Group agreed at its
meeting on 23/8/01 that invoices are sent.

Action

Executive Secretary to contact the Varroa Programme Manager and
inform him that the NBA endorses the action to invoice those
beekeepers who have not returned strips.

Meeting adjourned at 12.00pm for lunch.

Meeting reconvened at 12.40pm.

8. Finances

"That the financial report for 31/7/01 be adopted."

Lorimer/McKenzie Carried

9. General Business

9.1. Portfolios and Committees

Discussion around the relative role of committees was held.

It was agreed that the Executive is the policy, governance and
administration side of the NBA - the strategic side. In the past
the Executive has tried to be all things to all people. It has
been reactive and has not used committees well. The role of the
executive is to see the work is done and ensure that the
resources are available to the committees to achieve their work.

The executive looked at the committees the NBA has beenor is
involved in and broke them into two groups: Standing Committees
and Advisory/Adhoc Committees and agreed that

Executive members are members of these committees ex officio.

Standing Committees

PMS Operations D Bell with P Cropp as deputy.

PMS Compliance/Review D Bell

Marketing P Cropp

Finance G Martin

Environment J Lorimer with F O'Brien as deputy

Communications F O'Brien

Library F O'Brien

Export/Import P Cropp

Support L McKenzie

Honey Research Unit J. Lorimer with F O'Brien as deputy

Apricultural Research Advisory

Committee J Lorimer

Advisory/Adhoc Committees

Varroa Oversight Advisory

Committee J Lorimer with D Bell as deputy.

Editorial F O'Brien

Exotics G Martin

Governance R Hatfield

Others the NBA is represented on

Varroa Management Group J Lorimer with D Bell as deputy.

Animal Biosecurity Consultative

Committee T Leslie

Varroa Planning Group D Bell with J Lorimer as deputy

A new position of Committee Co-ordination Person was agreed to.
This position is to act as a circuit breaker and support person
to portfolio holders. Lin McKenzie appointed to the role. It was
also agreed that by 18 September committee sponsors would:

(1) identify committee members and vacancies.

(2) draft a preliminary (1 st Draft) budget for the next 12
months to 3 years.

(3) review committee terms of reference.

9.2 Remit Allocation:

Remit 1 (14) Jane Lorimer

"That the line between the buffer and infested zones be
maintained and defended for as long as possible and, if Varroa is
found south of the line, the line be shifted to a sensible
geographical line after all other options have been fully
investigated for maintaining the line in its present position."

Remit 2 (18) Varroa Research Advisory Committee/Jane Lorimer

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that they
consider the introduction of Varroa tolerant bee stock to the New
Zealand Beekeeping industry, to reduce the effect of Varroa and
improve the economics of the beekeeping industry."

Motion regarding rule changes referred to Conference of Branch
Delegates

Governance Committee/Richard Hatfield

"The rule changes as proposed by the Executive be referred back
to the incoming Executive for further deliberation and
communication with branches, with a view to having firm rule
changes for presentation at a Special Meeting to be held at our
next Annual Conference."

Remit 5 (8) Gerard Martin

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that, The NBA
commission an investigation into the options available for the
treatment and or eradication of European Foulbrood in New
Zealand."

Remit 8 (11) Don Bell

"This conference recommends to Executive on behalf of the New
Zealand Hobbyist Beekeepers that Executive negotiates with
Government for the removal of the Statutory Declaration clause
under the Commodity Levies (Bee Products) Order 1996."

Remit 10 (9) Executive to note

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that they
ensure that any policies adopted by them are formulated in
accordance with the provisions and spirit of the Rules of the
Association and comply with governing legislation."

Remit 12 (15) Research responsibility under Jane Lorimer & Philip
Cropp

"That this Conference recommends to Executive that they
facilitate the development of clover that produces Nectar and
persists for many years in pasture."

Remit 18 (6) Environment Committee/Jane Lorimer

"That this Conference recommends to Executive that this industry
express its concern to the use of Imidacloprid (Gaucho)."

Remit 19 (12) Marketing Committee/Philip Cropp

"That this conference recommends to the Executive that the
marketing committee presents to the AGM of the NBA, a business
plan for the ensuing 12 months."

Remit 20 (19) Communications & Support/Fiona O’Brien & Lin
McKenzie

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive that the
Beekeeping Industry endeavour to co-ordinate rural industries to
speak with one voice to increase pressure on the Government to
provide better border security."

Remit 21 (20) Exports, Imports & Exotics/Philip Cropp & Gerard
Martin

"That this Conference recommends to the Executive, that an
approach be made to the Government to get all incoming shipping
containers opened and their contents inspected."

Late Remits:

Remit 23 (Poverty Bay) Environment/Jane Lorimer

"That this conference affirms the NBA submission to the Royal
Commission on GM for a moratorium with annual review on open
release of GM plants and in particular plants visited by bees. We
request that the Executive continue to lobby Government for such
a moratorium if necessary after the Royal Commission on GM
delivers its findings."

Remit 24 (R Berry) Varroa Management Group/Jane Lorimer

"That this conference strongly recommends to Executive that an
additional control line be established immediately north of
Wellington along natural boundaries having least effect on
commercial beekeeping in the Wellington area. This line to stop
any live bee movement from north of this line to south of this
line."

Remit 25 (A McCaw) Executive

"That this conference recommends to Executive that the Auckland
Branch of the National Beekeepers' Association host the 2002
Conference"

9.3 Appointment of NBA Treasurer:

"That Gerard Martin be appointed as NBA Treasurer."

McKenzie/Lorimer Carried

9.4 Branch & Club Meetings

Bay of Plenty Branch - 11/09/01

It was agreed that as the Bay of Plenty Branch has invited a
representative(s) of the 2000/01 Executive to their meeting that
Lin McKenzie and Jane Lorimer would attend this meeting.

This is a good opportunity for Lin to discuss the Sustainable
Farming Fund Project.

Taranaki Club Meeting - 15/09/01

This club has invited the President to attend a meeting. Don Bell
and Tim Leslie will attend. Fiona O'Brien will attend both
meetings as well.

Meeting adjourned at 3.00pm for afternoon tea.

Reconvened @ 3.20pm.

9.5 Programme for the rest of the Calendar year.

The need to review the Strategic Plan and update, plus the
requirement to start the 2002 budget were discussed.

It was agreed to combine these two processes in mid-late
September. It was decided also that the Chairpersons of the major
committees be invited to the first day of the planning and
budgeting to explain their respective committee's plans for the
coming year.

Due to dates for the meeting being difficult to arrange, it was
agreed to discuss the dates first thing in the morning of August
31.

9.6 MAF Food Meeting

Jane Lorimer reported that 14 NBA members had attended a two day
workshop on 28 & 29 August to look at setting up a draft code of
practice.

Lin McKenzie expressed concern that this group could be making
decisions that affect an individuals business.

It was emphasised that this group needs to achieve industry "buy
in."

"That the group comprising Jane Lorimer, Philip Cropp, Tony
Taiaroa, Don Stedman, John Wright, Sue Johns, Barry Foster, Allen
McCaw, Russell Berry, Chris Elmsly, Mike Stuckey and John
Rawcliff currently discussing with MAF Food the establishment of
an Industry Code of Practise be given NBA Project Status. Terms
of Reference and budget allocations be established by Lorimer and
Cropp and this project group will work under these Terms of
Reference as per the NBA's Project Policy."

McKenzie/Lorimer Carried

9.7 Role of Immediate Past President

Mr Bell raised the issue that there is no provision within the
NBA's rules for the position of IPP and perhaps this constrains
using their skills at times.

"The Executive recommends the office of Immediate Past President
be added to the NBA's rules and that this proposition be
considered by the Governance Committee in its 2001/2001 year rule
reviews."

O'Brien/Cropp Carried

Richard Hatfield joined the meeting at 4.15pm.

Mr Bell handed the chairmanship of the meeting to Mr McKenzie @
4.15pm to attend a meeting with the Group Director, Animal
Biosecurity, Dr Barry O'Neill.

9.8 Project proposed by Kim van Vuuren

Kim van Vuuren has proposed a project to address pollination
services in the South Island to Mr O'Neill of the Varroa
Oversight Advisory Committee.

The Executive felt that this project is of some merit, but the
time frame proposed poses a problem. If it is to be linked to the
VOAC's work – designed to contribute to their work with regard
the two-year Varroa Management Programme finishing on 31/10/02 –
it does not have time to achieve much constructive input as it is
designed for completion in May 2002. The Executive to ask if the
time frame can not be truncated or ascertain what other use the
project has in mind outside of the two-year plan.

Action

Executive Secretary to write to Bryan O'Neill and outline the
Executive’s thinking on the project.

9.9 Biosecurity Amendment Bill & ACC Changes

It was agreed to tag on to the work of Federated Farmers on these
two current issues. Any Executive members with points to make
should channel them to the Executive Secretary who will pass on
to the relevant Federated Farmers people.

The PMS Compliance/Review Committee will be asked to consider
also.

9.10 Federated Farmers' media seminar/induction course.

Lin McKenzie attended from the NBA. He felt is was a useful day
that highlighted the need to be passionate and believe in what
you are saying when interviewed.

9.11 Labelling of GM Foods

Mr McKenzie drew the meeting's attention to a letter he had
received from Foodstuffs (SI) about label requirements regarding
about GM freedom.

This is the first of many to come it is felt.

Richard Hatfield retired from the meeting at 4.45pm.

9.12 Royal Commission Report on GM

Executive felt that the most significant recommendation for the
NBA is that MAF must draw up guidelines for preventing GM pollen
being picked up by bees.

It was agreed that industry must have input into this strategy if
adopted by Government. The NBA keenly awaits the Government's
response to the report.

Don Bell returned @ 5.15pm and resumed the Chair.

9.13 Distribution of Minutes

As the Conference had reconfirmed the rule to distribute minutes
within 14 days it was decided to try and achieve this as much as
possible.

Consensus reached that the President will sign off Executive
Meeting minutes at a minuted teleconference within a fortnight of
each executive meeting.

10 Meeting with Barry O'Neill

Don Bell reported that this meeting has been constructive. He had
raised with B O'Neill that during the recent audit of Authorised
Person training, some interviewees had felt intimidated and
embarrassed about some of the questions asked of volunteers. Dr
O'Neill gave an assurance that at future audits, the questions
will be submitted to the NBA prior to audit commencement.

Don Bell also reported that Dr O'Neill is anxious to get the
Varroa Phase III underway and he was pleased to hear the NBA has
taken some first steps by drafting a plan.

Meeting adjourned for the day @ 5.40pm.

Meeting reconvened @ 8.45am on Friday August 31.

Don Bell in the chair. No apologies

11 Applications to the Trust

11.1 Donovan

"The application by B Donovan be referred to the Varroa Research
Advisory Committee for their recommendation."

McKenzie/Cropp Carried

11.2 Marketing Committee

"That the Marketing project as presented be recommended to the
Trust for support."

Lorimer/Cropp Carried

12 NBA Executive Programme until March 2001.

The following schedule was agreed to:

Planning & Budget 25-26 September 2001

Executive 27 September 2001

Teleconference 09 or 10 October 2001

Executive 28 & 29 November 2001

Executive 30 & 31 January 2002

Executive to Receive AgriQuality

March 2002 Report @ Ruakura 19 &20 March 2002

Meeting adjourned @ 9.25am to have a Workshop with the PMS Op's
Committee.

Meeting reconvened @ 2.55pm.

13 Sustainable Farming Fund

Lin McKenzie reported that he had just been informed the
Sustainable Farming Fund contract has been sent to his home
address for signing.

14 Hort Research Contract - Spore Testing

The Executive agreed that this contract should be signed by the
President to day and posted back to Hort Research.

15 Wrap up

Don Bell thanked all for their attendance and input the last day
and one half.

For the next meeting executive need to:

* Consider their budgets.

* Review relevant portions of the Strategic Plan.

* Consider issues for the Strategic Plan 1-3 years out.

* Have committees in place by the September meeting.

16 Closure

Don Bell closed the meeting at 3.20pm.