Poultry producers latest to join GIA
The Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) is the latest industry group to sign up to the Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response (GIA).
Biosecurity New Zealand says it is ramping up a public awareness campaign designed to encourage people to report possible sightings of brown marmorated stink bug.
BMSB is considered a major threat to New Zealand’s horticulture industry, causing damage to flowers, stems, leaves and fruit of host plants.
Significant crops likely to be impacted by an infestation in New Zealand include apples, corn, wine grapes, kiwifruit, and various stone fruit varieties.
Funded jointly by Biosecurity New Zealand and industry members of the BMSB Council, the summer campaign will run from November to March, targeting local gardeners and online shoppers who receive goods from overseas.
Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says his organisation is well prepared for the high-risk season.
“There is ongoing monitoring of the threat posed by countries that have known BMSB populations. Officers target passengers, craft and goods that could be contaminated with BMSB,” he says.
Anderson says BMSB measures have been very effective to date.
“There continues to be no evidence of any established BMSB population in New Zealand.
“We ask international travellers to be understanding of the need to protect New Zealand and our economy as they get their bags checked or are required to answer questions from our frontline staff,” he says.
Anderson says the recent detection of two live BMSB at Auckland Airport demonstrates the importance of strong biosecurity controls.
A Biosecurity New Zealand quarantine officer detected a single live BMSB at an airport search bench on 8 October while processing passengers arriving from the United States.
The second bug was recently found on an aircraft from South Korea prior to passengers leaving the plane. Officers detected a further 286 dead BMSB on arriving vessels and cargo.
Anderson says the number of live interceptions has dropped considerably in the past few years, largely due to the introduction of strict import rules.
“Improved reporting and monitoring have also allowed officers to better target risk goods. For example, there was a greater focus on air cargo during the 2021/22 season following increased BMSB detections in this pathway.
“We have also seen high levels of engagement from the shipping industry in the past and want this positive relationship to continue. Accurate reporting of detections by crew helps Biosecurity New Zealand target its surveillance and other actions.”
Anyone who thinks they've found BMSB is asked to catch it, snap it (take a photo), and report it. The find can be reported online or via Biosecurity New Zealand’s hotline ¬ 0800 80 99 66.
Animal rights organization, SAFE says the government needs to maintain the ban on live exports.
New findings from not-for-profit food supply and distribution organization, the New Zealand Food Network (NZFN) have revealed a 42% increase in demand for food support in 2023 compared to 2022.
New data released by LIC and DairyNZ shows New Zealand dairy farmers have achieved the highest six week in-calf rate and lowest notin- calf rate on record.
Christchurch City Council and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association (CAPA) have signed an agreement which will open more of Canterbury Agricultural Park for public use while helping to provide long-term certainty for the A&P Show.
This year’s Fieldays will feature a Rural Advocacy Hub - bringing together various rural organisations who are advocating for farmers and championing their interests as one team, under one roof, for the first time.
ASB head of rural banking Aidan Gent is encouraging farmers to speak to their banks when they are struggling.
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