Controls in place as fruit fly investigation continues

Legal controls on the movement of fruits and vegetables are now in place in Mt Roskill, says Biosecurity NZ North commissioner Mike Inglis.

The restrictions follow the detection of a single male Queensland fruit fly in a surveillance trap in the central Auckland area.

The pest was found in one of Biosecurity NZ’s national surveillance traps placed in fruit trees in residential backyards.

To date, no other flies have been found in surveillance traps.

“Biosecurity NZ staff are busy in the area today, laying more traps and sharing information with local households and the community,” Inglis says.

“Around 400 additional traps are being placed within a 1500-metre area of the original find.

“We know what it takes to get rid of fruit flies, and getting everyone involved is essential to finding and eradicating these pests.

“We’ve always had a lot of support from local communities on our biosecurity responses because people understand what is at stake.

“There have been 14 previous fruit fly incursions in New Zealand, all of which we have successfully stamped out.

“This experience has enabled us to use strong and detailed operational plans to guide our work.”

Inglis says rules are now in place that prohibit the movement of fruit and vegetables out of a specified controlled area where the fruit fly was found.

The controlled area has two zones – A and B. Zone A is a 200m zone, including 262 properties. Zone B covers a 1500m area, including 8300 properties.

Zone A: No whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil-free root vegetables, can be moved outside Zone A. This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown.

Zone B: All fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area.

A map of the controlled area, as well as a full description of the boundaries and rules in place is available at: www.biosecurity.govt.nz/queensland-fruitfly

“Legal controls are a critical precaution while we investigate whether further flies are present in the area,” says Inglis.

“Should there be more out there, this will help prevent their spread.”

If it is established here, the Queensland fruit fly could have serious consequences for New Zealand’s horticultural industry, he says.

It can damage a wide range of fruit and vegetables and could lead to restrictions affecting horticultural exports.

Biosecurity NZ is working closely with government industry agreement partners to minimise the risk to New Zealand growers and exporters, says Inglis.

“But they’re important, because following these directions protects our horticultural industries, home gardens, and our New Zealand way of life.

“It’s likely the restrictions will be in place for at least the next four weeks.”

Inglis says signs will be put in place notifying people of the restrictions and marking the controlled area boundaries.

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s pest and disease hotline on free phone 0800 80 99 66.