MPI defends cost of new biosecurity lab
The head of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity operation, Stuart Anderson, has defended the cost and the need for a Plant Healht and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) being built in Auckland.
The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) says it won’t allow the DL Marigold, which was ordered out of New Zealand by the Ministry of Primary Industries after divers found its hull invested with barnacles and tube worms.
BAF chief executive officer Xavier Khan said BAF operations team has informed the ship’s agent, Campbell Shipping of its decision.
The BAF media release says D L Marigold, containing load of palm kernel for feeding dairy cows, visited NZ on 4 March, 2017.
“However, the ship was ordered to leave the Port of Tauranga following the discovery by MPI of the carrier’s hull and underwater surfaces being infested with dense fouling of barnacles and with tube worms.
“DL Marigold then intended to come to Fiji on March 10, 2017 just to clean the hull and return to NZ to offload the consignment. “
Rural News understands the PKE shipment belongs to ADM.
Khan says the DL Marigold could cause biofouling resulting in the introduction of invasive aquatic species in Fiji waters.
“This will never be allowed as it would be very devastating for the Fijian marine and aquatic species.”
Steve Gilbert, MPI’s border clearance director says the vessel won’t be allowed back into New Zealand until it can provide proof it has been thoroughly cleaned.
He says it is the first time MPI has ordered an international vessel to leave a New Zealand port for biofouling reasons.
“We were dealing with severe contamination in this case.”
