Tuesday, 15 October 2019 09:44

High alert for stink bugs

Written by  Staff Reporters
New Zealand is on high alert for brown marmorated stink bug. New Zealand is on high alert for brown marmorated stink bug.

Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor is warning travelling Kiwis to be vigilant as the high-season for the crop-eating brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is under way.

“We’re on high alert to stop BMSB arriving in NZ. The high season runs until April 30 and we’ve strengthened our measures to stop stink bug establishing itself here,’’ O’Connor said.

“It’s an especially timely reminder for those travelling to Rugby World Cup matches. A recent swarm of green stink bug and yellow spotted stink bug have occurred in Kobe, Japan. Biosecurity NZ staff based there will continue to ensure we have the right measures in place. We want to keep the risk offshore as much as possible

“It’s a sneaky pest that we’ve caught at the border many times, hitchhiking on passengers and in imported goods. They’re a damaging economic pest and a significant household nuisance.”

In the past few months Biosecurity NZ has increased the number of additional BMSB risk countries from 16 to 33: mandatory pre-arrival treatment requirements for targeted vehicles, machinery and parts have been boosted.

O’Connor said Biosecurity NZ was working more closely with its Australian counterparts to identify risk offshore and co-ordinate their actions. 

“We’re also sending Biosecurity NZ staff overseas to visit and audit treatment providers, shippers and freight forwarders in Europe. 

“Elsewhere, we’ve made it clear to all cruise ship operators that they have to show they’ve taken measures to prevent pests arriving here by using our accreditation system and we’re working on hi-tech scanning equipment to find the bug in luggage and mail. 

“We have three dogs trained specifically to find stink bugs.

“No biosecurity system is 100 per cent fool proof and observant Kiwis have spotted the bug post-border in the past four years, though no breeding population have been found. I thank them for it and ask people report any possible sightings to Biosecurity NZ. We need a biosecurity team of 4.7 million. We all have a part to play.

“I also want to thank all the international airlines who arrive in New Zealand for playing our new biosecurity video before arrival. The only airline that’s been slow to play it on each flight is Air New Zealand, which is deeply disappointing from our national carrier. I very much hope it will be uniform across all their flights soon.’’

More like this

Not popular

OPINION: This old mutt hears that his editor has copped a fair bit of flak from readers after an article on former Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor appeared in the last issue of this fine organ.

Reflecting a challenging period

Damien O'Connor admits his six years in office were incredibly challenging, with Covid, droughts, floods, storms, M. bovis and volcanic eruptions to name a few.

Back to the backbench

Former Labour agriculture and trade minister Damien O'Connor hopes the new coalition Governent will continue the direction of travel initiated by his government in terms of ensuring the high reputation of our primary exports.

Out to pasture?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wonders if outgoing Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor will now call it a day on his 30-year long political career.

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter