Why our future depends on taking biosecurity seriously
OPINION: When it comes to biosecurity, we often hear about the end of a response, but it’s the beginning that helps determine our success.
The packaged pine tree had arrived from UK complete with a pot of soil.
"The quarantine inspector working the x-ray machine thought, 'what the heck?'" says Craig Hughes, manager north, passenger and mail from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
He says the tree won't be allowed into New Zealand and that the sender has been offered the choices of having it destroyed or returned to the UK.
"There's no way MPI can let it into the country. Both the tree and the untreated soil may be harbouring pests or diseases that could harm New Zealand's primary industries and natural environment."
He says there is a fungus currently killing fir trees used for Christmas in the United States and Britain.
"MPI and the forestry industry clearly don't want to see this tree fungus or anything like it establish here."
