Rise in fall armyworm numbers
Populations of fall armyworm are two to three weeks more advanced than they have been in previous seasons, bringing calls for maize and sweetcorn growers to scout their crops as often as possible.
The machines, which have been installed in Auckland, Christchurch and Queenstown, will be used to scan baggage from overseas travellers for plant and animal products that pose biosecurity risk to New Zealand.
“The new x-rays are part of MPI’s ongoing commitment to strengthen New Zealand’s biosecurity system and are part of a larger programme to improve how we clear arriving air passengers,” says MPI detection technology manager Brett Hickman.
“The new machines will provide better reliability and increased capacity, along with improved image quality and functionality.
“This means border staff will be better equipped to spot biosecurity risk items before they enter New Zealand, and we will have the capacity to increase the level of screening during times of high alert.”
MPI has now installed 19 new x-ray machines around the country over the past three years.
MPI currently owns and operates 27 x-ray units at international airports, the Auckland International Mail Centre and military bases. This includes a trailer-mounted mobile x-ray in Auckland.
An additional new machine is earmarked for Wellington airport, and one more will shortly go into the International Mail Centre in Auckland, says Hickman.
“X-ray screening is one of a range of biosecurity tools we use to block destructive pests and diseases that could damage our primary industries and natural environment,” says Hickman.
Two of the four new x-ray machines installed this week are located in Auckland airport. The remaining two have gone to Christchurch and Queenstown.
