Campaign targets greater awareness of stink bugs
Biosecurity New Zealand is ramping up a public awareness campaign to encourage people to report possible sightings of the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB).
The Glovis Caravel was ordered to leave New Zealand yesterday evening after the crew reported finding nearly 600 stink bugs, 12 of them alive, while the vessel was anchored near Auckland.
“Even though the vessel was sealed, we assessed the risk was too high for it to remain in New Zealand waters. It will now have to be treated off shore before it can return,” says Steve Gilbert, MPI Border Clearance Services Director.
MPI has increased its border inspection and verification of bulk carriers arriving from Japan following a recent jump in detections of brown marmorated stink bug.
“Some of the carriers arriving New Zealand require no further action, but where there is contamination we have the option of denying entry.
“We firmly believe our actions to date have prevented stink bugs from getting past the New Zealand border and welcome the support we have been getting from a range of industries.
“Everyone appreciates a brown marmorated stink bug incursion could have a devastating impact on New Zealand agriculture.”
