Velvetleaf Threat: North Island growers urged to stay vigilant
A recently held arable field day in the Manawatu brought with it a timely reminder to be on the lookout for velvetleaf incursions.
This follows the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly in the suburb earlier this month.
Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis says there has been “fantastic” support from the South Auckland community and sector groups so far.
He says the controls need to continue a little longer “out of an abundance of caution”.
“It is vital to our success in keeping fruit fly out of New Zealand,” he says.
To date, no additional Oriental fruit flies have been found in surveillance traps, something Inglis says is encouraging.
“We’ll continue to regularly check fruit fly traps, and specialist staff in our mobile field laboratory will cut up and inspect fruit and vegetables collected in the area for any signs of larvae. So far more than 200kg of produce has been examined.”
Inglis says that the continuation of the restricted movement is so that authorities can be confident that there isn’t a breeding population.
“This timeframe is based on scientific advice about the life cycle of the Oriental fruit fly,” he says.
There is no change to the current movement rules that are in place. The A and B Zone areas in Papatoetoe will remain the same and the instructions on the disposal of produce waste remain unchanged.
“Those legal controls prohibit the movement of fruit and vegetables out of the specified controlled area around where the fruit fly was found. The restrictions are a critical precaution to protect our horticultural sector and exports,” Inglis says.
“There have been 12 previous fruit fly incursions in New Zealand which we have successfully eradicated, so we have very strong and detailed operational plans to guide our work.
“The fruit fly poses no risk to human health, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here,” he concludes.
