Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut under the Government's plan to reduce the public service.
The Ministry for Primary Industries expects to review the controlled area notice and current fruit movement restrictions this week. The earliest these restrictions will be lifted is Saturday, May 26.
Meanwhile work continues in MPI's response to the finding of a single male Queensland fruit fly in a surveillance trap in Avondale on May 8.
Since that detection, MPI has run an intensive surveillance programme of trapping and fruit inspection to find if a population of the fruit fly is present in the area.
Work underway includes clearing fruit fly traps placed in fruiting trees and inspections of fruit from the area.
To date there have been no further detections of the fruit fly and no adverse reactions from trading partners.
MPI continues to be grateful for community support for the work underway, particularly in complying with requests to avoid moving fruit and vegetables from the controlled area around where the initial fruit fly was found.
Full information about the Queensland fruit fly is on the MPI website at: www.mpi.govt.nz and follow the fruit fly button.
