Terms of Reference

The following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 22 June 2016:

The risks and opportunities associated with the use of the bumblebee population in Tasmania for commercial pollination purposes, including:

  1. the existing distribution and population density of exotic bumblebees;
  2. productivity and economic benefits of the commercial use of bumblebees for agricultural producers;
  3. the potential environmental impacts associated with the commercial use of bumblebees, including whether their use is likely to:
    1. impact the conservation status of a species or ecological community,
    2. impact biodiversity,
    3. cause unintended ecological impacts, and
    4. contribute to a wider distribution of bumblebees;
  4. the implications for Australia’s biosecurity regime of any approval to use bumblebees in Tasmania for commercial purposes;
  5. the potential economic outcomes;
  6. the effectiveness of alternative pollination options; and
  7. any other related matters.

Committee Secretariat contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3526
ec.sen@aph.gov.au

About this inquiry

An inquiry into the risks and opportunities associated with the use of the bumblebee population in Tasmania for commercial pollination purposes.



Inquiry Status

Inquiry lapsed

Accessibility

If you require any special arrangements to enable you to participate in the Committee's inquiry, please contact the Committee Secretariat.

Further information regarding accessibility can be found at www.aph.gov.au/Help/Accessibility