Wellington, Feb 5 NZPA - Beekeepers are warning the country's growing honey trade with the United States will suffer if Australian honey products are allowed into New Zealand.

The National Beekeepers' Association of New Zealand (NBA) said tonight that Australian honey was being mixed with international honey and exported as an Australian product.

"If Australian honey imports are allowed into New Zealand, New Zealand risks becoming a 'honey laundering' hub, a situation that would severely damage our honey exporters," NBA joint chief executive Gemma Collier said.

New Zealand exports about $4 million worth of honey to the US in 2009. This is up from just under $2.5 million in 2008.

"The US market is growing steadily, especially the manuka honey sector, and any risk to it is extremely concerning to the beekeeping industry," Ms Collier said.

She called for the continued and indefinite suspension of all honey imports from Australia.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry extended the suspension of honey imports from Australia by up to two years in September 2009.

As a result of "honey laundering", Australia was now on a US watch list of 13 countries whose honey products must be checked carefully on entry, Ms Collier said.

"Establishing tracing and certification processes to ensure exported honey is solely of New Zealand origin would add significant extra costs to industry participants."

Ms Collier said allowing imports would also likely lead to a number of dangerous diseases and pests being introduced.

"This would have far-reaching negative impacts on New Zealand's $71 million honey export industry, not to mention our agricultural and horticultural industries, which underpin our economy.

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