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.
ALMOST 200 traps in Whangarei have detected no more Queensland fruit fly.
No suspect flies were detected in all 83 traps in Zone A and in all 90 lure traps from outside the controlled zones. Further results are expected from all 162 traps in zone B this afternoon. (January 28)
MPI Deputy Director-General Compliance and Response, Andrew Coleman, says "it's a good early result but it's important not to get complacent. We have still got a number of days to go before we know for sure whether there is a breeding population or not."
The Whangarei community has been hugely supportive and to date has placed 180kgs of restricted produce in bins in Zone A and 70kgs in Zone B, he adds.
"We are very appreciative of this support," Coleman says. "It is vital that material that could contain the fly is not taken out of the zone, just in case there is a breeding population present in the area, which takes in Parihaka, Riverside and parts of central Whangarei."
This insect is an unwanted and notifiable organism that could have serious consequences for New Zealand's horticultural industry. It can damage a wide range of fruit and vegetables.
Restricted produce includes all fruit and some vegetables. Leafy and root vegetables are not hosts for fruit fly and their movement is not restricted.
Full information on the restrictions is at:www.mpi.govt.nz – and follow the fruit fly button.
The Ministry has a new online tool in place to assist local people work out if their property is inside or outside the Controlled Area. This online tool, which enables people to enter their address and check, is at:http://www.esam.co.nz/Fruitfly/
Garden rubbish- green waste- (particularly clippings from fruit trees, fallen fruit, tobacco weed and woolly nightshade) may contain fruit flies, should a population be present. Residents are asked to dispose of this material in amnesty bins rather than taking it to the Whangarei Weigh Transfer Station.
"Once again, MPI would like to thank the people of Whangarei for their co-operation in this response. Compliance with these restrictions is a critical precaution to protect our horticultural industries and home gardens," Coleman says.
"It is likely the restrictions will be in place for at least a couple of weeks."
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
OPINION: Ageing lefty Chris Trotter reckons that the decision to delay recognition of Palestinian statehood is more than just a fit…
OPINION: A mate of yours truly recently met someone at a BBQ who works at a big consulting firm who spent…