Layers of protection
Your columnist Joe Carr suggests the Ministry for Primary Industries is penny-pinching on biosecurity.
This is not the case.
Last year MPI installed 12 new x-ray machines for detecting biosecurity risk items in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown airports, and the Auckland International Mail Centre. The machines allow MPI to screen baggage and mail with greater accuracy.
Close to 125 new quarantine inspectors have joined MPI in the last 15 months. We had 32 new quarantine inspectors graduate from their training in November. And staff numbers have been further bolstered by the recruitment of 24 new quarantine inspectors in March.
Five new dog teams (handler and dog) graduated from their training in November. MPI now has 35 dog teams operating at New Zealand ports and airports, and expects to have 40 by July.
Moreover, to suggest that there is something wrong with our border control systems misses the point that New Zealand's biosecurity system is made up of layers of protection.
In addition to our border controls, we employ some of the best scientists in the world to inform our rules about what can and can't be imported in the first place. As has been demonstrated by the recent Queensland fruit fly find in Whangarei, we also run surveillance programmes to make sure we pick up anything that slips by the border. And we have a sophisticated system of response to contain and, where possible, eradicate pests when they do get through.
The fact that the fruit fly was caught in one of the 7600 surveillance traps that MPI has set up and constantly monitors around the country shows our biosecurity system works.
Your columnist asserts that recreational craft are the "likely vector" for the arrival of the fruit fly. The evidence does not support this. We don't know how the fly arrived in New Zealand. It is equally possible that the fly arrived via commercially imported fruit or vegetables, mail, or from an arriving passenger.
MPI is currently examining all the possible arrival pathways, and until this work is completed it is too early to embark on major changes to the way we inspect and clear recreational yachts in Northland or elsewhere in New Zealand.
Regarding marine pests in Northland, the examples you give undoubtedly arrived here originally on vessels of some sort (either commercial shipping or recreational yachting), and were then most likely transferred to new locations (including the ones you mention) as fouling growth on the hulls of domestic vessels. MPI is currently developing new requirements for vessels entering New Zealand to have a clean hull on arrival. And the ministry is working very closely with regional councils throughout New Zealand, including the Northland Regional Council, on plans to manage domestic pest transfer.
We are always looking at improving our biosecurity defences, and will act on any lessons learnt from what has happened in Northland with both the fruit fly detections and our work concerning marine pest species. Our track record shows MPI does not hesitate to take action when it comes to protecting New Zealand.
STEVE GILBERT
Border Clearance Services Director
Ministry for Primary Industries