Editorial: Spare us more trouble

Kiwifruit growers have lost faith in the biosecurity of their country,

Kiwifruit growers' faith in this country's biosecurity measures took another hit this week with the discovery of an imported pest deemed a serious threat to the industry.

Two white peach scale insects and eggs were found on January 27 on kiwifruit imported from Italy. The insects were spotted by a Plant and Food Research scientist and sent to the Ministry of Primary Industries laboratory in Christchurch, where they were found to be dead.

The pest caused the loss of up to 20 per cent of the gold variety in Italy in 2004.

The latest find comes just days after a fruit fly scare in Northland, which threatened the country's $4 billion horticulture industry.

It also comes just as the Bay kiwfruit industry shows signs of bouncing back from the devastation caused by the arrival of Psa.

Bay growers, understandably, are now calling for the Government to toughen up its biosecurity measures.

The task of keeping pests out of New Zealand is an unenviable one. There are numerous entry points - the man-made pathways of airports, ports and the mail service, as well as natural pathways of strong winds and ocean currents.

For his part, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy says New Zealand has a "world class, multi-layered biosecurity system" with measures in place offshore, at the border, and within New Zealand to prevent pests becoming established here.

Around 100 new quarantine inspectors are working on the frontline and a new x-ray machine has been installed at international airports. While it is pleasing the Government is bolstering its frontline, more needs to be done to protect our primary industries. We do not need another Psa-type event.