While the rest of Australia lines its supermarkets shelves with a huge array of honey styles, the Island is the only region within Australia to stop both mainland and overseas honey imports.

According to Peter Davis, owner of Island Beehive in Kingscote, overseas honey has the potential to destroy the Australian industry.

He said there is the problem of bringing in dangerous diseases and the imports are making it impossible for other Australian providers to compete.

Mr Davis explained the justification to import honey came about a few years ago because of the drought.

He said prices for overseas honey were kept at such a low - it was easy for retailers to buy in the product.

Government legislation, introduced September 30, 1885 protects the Island to stop any honey brought in from the mainland or overseas.

Shops or food suppliers can be fined up to $10,000 if found guilty of breaching the act.

What also concerns Mr Davis is this law is not there to protect the whole of Australia.

“It’s tarnishing the whole industry,” he said.

“The honey we produce is pure and high grade. This means health benefits to our consumers,” he said.

Mr Davis explained honey without regulations often means there are sugars added and they become watered down.

“This leaves no benefits to the consumers.”

Island Beehive is one of about 25 honey registered producers on the island.

The commercial business is supported by eight island honey producers.

Mr Davis said his tonnage of honey varies each season.

“Three years ago we produced about 136 tonnes of honey, while the devastation of the fires on the island a few years ago meant half the bee crops were destroyed. We lost out on about $1million worth,” Mr Davis explained.

According to Australian honey experts, in 2009 there were significant imports of honey to Australia with 1000 tonnes from China, 1684 tonnes from Argentina and 120 tonnes from Europe. All were produced at a minimum cost and sold at discount prices.

Over the past 16 years Australia’s $80million honey industry has been threatened by exotic honey bee incursions.

The industry is also at risk of being affected by an external mite that could devastate the honey bee industry and lead to losses of $20-55 million each year.

The honey experts believe the solution is simple - Australia’s food standard regulations for overseas honey products must be drastically improved.

They encourage all apiarists to lobby their local Members of Parliament to push for changes.

Mr Davis said young people should also be seen promoting the industry, “it’s their future”.