No further Qld fruit flies detected in NZ

Thursday, 30 January, 2014

After a single Queensland fruit fly sent the New Zealand horticultural industry into a spin, the NZ Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) set up 245 traps to determine the extent of the insect’s incursion into the country.

The first trapping results are positive, with no suspect flies detected in any of the 83 traps in Zone A.

“It’s a good early result but it’s important not to get complacent. We have still got a number of days to go before we know for sure whether there is a breeding population or not,” said MPI Deputy Director-General Compliance and Response Andrew Coleman.

The local community has been supportive of the effort, disposing of 180 kg of restricted produce in amnesty bins in Zone A and 70 kg in Zone B.

The insect is an unwanted and notifiable organism that could have serious consequences for New Zealand’s horticultural industry, the MPI says. All fruit and some vegetables - excluding leafy and root vegetables - are not permitted to be taken out of the Controlled Area.

More information on the restrictions is available on the MPI website.