Fresh tactics to combat bio-intruders

By ANNE BESTON environment reporter

Border control is certain to be tightened after an extensive investigation into the number of alien organisms entering New Zealand.

Changes could include contracting private companies to carry out some of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's work, which includes policing the 420,000 full and empty containers that arrive each year.

Maf biosecurity has been the subject of critical reports and an Auditor-General investigation over the past few months, all showing flaws in the sea container system.

Last year Maf inspected 24 per cent of high-risk containers and randomly selected a further 5-10 per cent for internal inspection, where an officer puts his head around the door and has a look inside.

In the survey, and for the first time, the ministry did a thorough re-check of containers already door-inspected and the results were predictably worrying.

Five live, alien spiders and three insects were discovered in the 1517 containers during door inspection.

In the re-check, the numbers shot up to 124 spiders and 71 insects.

For seeds and plant material, the figures were 19 and 179. Detection rates during door inspections were around 4 per cent for spiders and insects and 10 per cent for plant material.

"That is just way, way too low," said Forest and Bird biosecurity spokesman Geoff Keey. "Maf has been pussyfooting around the importing industry but it's time to get tough. The alternative is to send industry a bill for the eradication of painted apple moth."

Maf is currently battling to eradicate the moth from West Auckland in a $90 million aerial operation. Evidence points to it having arrived here on a shipping container.

But spokesman for the 300-member Importers Institute, Daniel Silva, said his organisation was a "convenient target" for those calling for tougher border control.

"Increased biosecurity means increased costs to the public."

As well as privatisation of inspections of low-risk containers, Maf is considering a new computer system with information and intelligence sharing between Customs, Maf and the shipping industry.

The ministry has also looked at a number of cleaning systems and visual technologies.

A spokeswoman for Biosecurity Minister Jim Sutton said the funding for biosecurity protection had increased at least $20 million since the election last year.

In 2001, the Government spent $123 million trying to protect the nation from pests and diseases, including screening aircraft and mail.

The estimated cost of screening all sea containers was $90 million.

The invaders

* 1930s Avondale Spider - Avondale

* 1930s Mosquito fish - Waikato

* 1983 Koi carp - Waikato

* 1989 Dutch elm disease - Auckland

* 1990 Argentine ant - Auckland

* 1993 Redback spider - Auckland

* 1997 Gum leaf skeletoniser (moth) - Mt Maunganui

* 1998 Varroa bee mite - North Island

* 1999 Painted apple moth - West Auckland

* 1999 Banjo frog - Auckland

* 2000 Yellow flower wasp - Northland

* 2001 Kentia palmseed borer - Auckland

* 2002 Southern saltmarsh mosquito - Kaipara Harbour

* 2002 Avian poxvirus - Auckland

* 2002 Lettuce aphid - Christchurch

* 2002 Eastern flower thrips - South Auckland

* 2002 Asian kelp - Auckland