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PSA MEDIA RELEASE

12th May 2012 - For Immediate Use

Fruit fly discovery timely warning on biosecurity future

The reported discovery of a Queensland fruit fly in Auckland should serve as a timely warning to the government not to continue to rundown New Zealand’s border biosecurity, according to the PSA.

An urgent investigation is underway into the discovery of the pest which could pose a major threat to New Zealand’s $3.3 billion fruit and vegetable export industry.

Border biosecurity systems are already dangerously stretched and a Cabinet paper released this week outlines proposals to make further so-called efficiencies at our airports and seaports.

PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff says that is likely to lead to even fewer frontline staff working at our borders.

“Pests like the Queensland fruit fly represent a major threat to our primary industries and it’s essential we have strong frontline defences to protect our economy. You don’t get strong frontline defences when you have a sinking lid policy on positions or reduce the number of staff on the ground”.

“There are already staff shortages in airports and seaports around the country with positions not being filled, and existing staff are under increasing pressure”.

“New Zealand needs a strong and responsive border biosecurity system and this fruit fly alert should send a strong message to the government to walk away from any proposals which would only serve to undermine it further”.

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