BUMBLEBEE populations could be used to increase crop yields if the Senate votes in favour of the practice when an inquiry releases its report later this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Submissions into the inquiry have been received by the Senate and will investigate the possible benefits of using bumblebees to help pollinate crops.
A submission was sent into the inquiry from Protected Cropping Australia, the peak body representing Tasmanian and Australian protected cropping farmers.
North-West tomato farmer Anthony Brandsema, from Brandsema Tomatoes, said using bumblebees would be a benefit to his tomato crop by increasing yields through pollination.
"Our yields would increase through the proper setting of flowers, they would be pollinated [by the bumblebees] at the time that it is ready," Mr Brandsema said.
Mr Brandsema said the "setting" of the tomato flowers was being done manually, with people wielding leaf blowers.
While that is a process that is working for them now, having the bees would just increase the efficiency of pollination.
"You have to imagine that we are using labour now, bumblebees don't take off long weekends or Christmas Day, it would definitely be more effective because the flower would be pollinated at the exact time that it's ready, not when we can get around to it with the leaf blower."
Honey bees also don't do as well a job as the humble bumblebee, because crop flowers such as tomatoes respond more effectively to "buzz pollinators".
Mr Brandsema said essentially this means a bumblebee will pollinate further into the flower and create better results than a regular honey bee.
The senate inquiry has closed its submission process and will be looking to make its report in June.
Mr Brandsema said he would be looking forward to the result.
Brandsema Tomatoes is participating in a bumblebee survey, that is being run by Cradle Coast Innovation.
The survey invites people to record sightings of bumblebees to collect raw data on the population in the state.
To record your sighting of a bumblebee click here.