Bird Flu: Keep Distance, Wash Hands, Report It
OPINION: It's a tough pill to swallow that bird flu (avian influenza) has finally arrived in New Zealand. This is a moment many of us have hoped would never come.
Early last month, an Oriental fruit fly was discovered in the Mangere/ Papatoetoe area, kicking off a Controlled Area Notice and increased trapping in the area.
This month, controls in the area were lifted after no further fruit flies were found in the area, and Inglis says Biosecurity New Zealand is “extremely pleased” with the outcome of its efforts. “Responding to threats from unwanted pests and diseases is something our people and our industry partners are pretty experienced in,” Inglis told Rural News.
Previously, New Zealand has experienced and eradicated 12 fruit fly incursions and Inglis says that means Biosecurity New Zealand had strong and detailed operational plans to guide the work.
“When this fruit fly was detected, our team moved quickly to bolster the number of traps and checks, put in legal controls to help prevent the movement of fruit and vegetables, deliver bins for waste disposal, and set up a mobile lab to inspect fruit and vegetables from the area for any eggs or larvae.”
Inglis says there was “fantastic” support both from those in the community and sector groups.
“Residents worked with the movement restrictions and regular checking of traps in their gardens and we are extremely grateful for their support,” he says.
“This response has been vital to our success in keeping fruit fly out of New Zealand. It could not have happened without backing from the community and the horticultural sector,” he adds.
“The actions taken in partnership with the sector were to protect our $7 billion horticulture industry and the estimated cost of around $2.4 million to respond to this pest is small in comparison with the economic impact to New Zealand of it becoming established here.”
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says the initial discovery of the fruit fly highlights the importance of New Zealand having a strong biosecurity system.
“I would especially like to thank Biosecurity New Zealand staff for their work to rapidly stand up a response while most of us were enjoying a Christmas holiday,” Hoggard says.
“Incursions of pests and diseases don’t take a break and that’s why our biosecurity system doesn’t either.
“The dedication of skilled staff is vital to protect New Zealand’s valuable agricultural and horticultural exports.”
Meanwhile, Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott says growers will be pleased by the outcome of the biosecurity operation.
“Biosecurity is critical to their livelihoods, and growers rely on a strong, responsive system to protect their crops, orchards and market access,” she says. “While the movement restrictions have been lifted, we support the ongoing surveillance as part of routine biosecurity measures. Continued vigilance is essential to keeping our sector free of pests like Oriental fruit fly.”
