NZ reports no further Qld fruit flies
A male Queensland fruit fly - a species that could decimate New Zealand's $NZ6.5 billion ($A5.06 billion) horticulture industry - was found in a trap in the suburb of Avondale last Tuesday, sparking a massive response from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
The discovery prompted a massive biosecurity response, with more than 1000 pheromone traps laid and movement of fruit into and out of the Avondale-Mt Roskill area restricted.
The Ministry of Primary Industries said on Friday there had been no new detections of the fruit fly.
The ministry will review the controlled-area notice and restrictions next week, but they will not be lifted until Saturday, May 26 at the earliest.
The fly lays eggs in more than 100 species of fruits and vegetables, which are destroyed by the larvae. If an invasion was confirmed, other countries would likely ban produce imports from New Zealand.
Taiwan
Key export market, Taiwan, is asking for reassurances that the biosecurity response to the Queensland fruit fly discovered in Auckland is being correctly handled.
Ministry of Primary Industry officials say Taiwan, which in 2010 was New Zealand's eleventh largest export market, wants more information about the response restrictions and wants to know if all fruit being sent to Taiwan is compliant with its own biosecurity rules.
Source: www.businessspectator.com.au