Hon Nathan Guy
Minister for Primary Industries
4 December 2015
Media Statement
Fruit fly operation ends, but risk remains
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has congratulated MPI staff and the Auckland community for the successful
eradication of Queensland fruit fly, but is warning the public to stay on high alert this summer.
“It’s great news this small population has been eradicated and all restrictions are now lifted. It means that New
Zealand is officially free of this potentially destructive pest,” says Mr Guy.
“I want to thank local residents in the affected area who have been very patient and followed the instructions around
the movement of fresh fruit and vegetables.
“I also want to thank MPI and AsureQuality who have provided the field operations, Auckland Council and industry
partners Kiwifruit Vine Health, Pipfruit New Zealand and Horticulture New Zealand who have worked on this response.
“However we will still be on high alert this summer for any further incursions, given the wide spread of the Queensland
fruit fly throughout the eastern states of Australia.
“We have already made major improvements to our biosecurity system in recent years, including a $27 million boost in
this year’s Budget which is helping fund 20 more detector dog teams, five new x-ray machines and a new mobile x-ray
machine.
“From 1 January next year we will have a Border Clearance Levy so that travellers will directly pay for biosecurity and
customs service as demand increases, and we have signed three new industries to the Government Industry Agreement
biosecurity partnership.
“However no system is ever perfect and we need all New Zealanders, especially travellers, to be alert and aware of the
risks.
“Our horticulture industry earns around $3.6 billion a year in exports which is why biosecurity has always been my
number one priority as Minister.”
ends