NZ: Signs that fruit flies could be eradicated
Since the first male fruit fly was trapped in Grey Lynn in mid-February, 14 adult flies have been located with the last find on March 6.
The last detection of larvae in fruit collected from the affected area was on March 13.
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Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Peter Silcock says MPI's measures are appropriately thorough. "It's the sort of standard we would impose on people who were exporting products here to New Zealand so it's an acceptable way to go."
MPI says if another fruit fly is found between now and the end of November, the control zone period may well be extended.
Countdown's two Grey Lynn supermarkets have been made MPI-approved retailers so shoppers can take fruit and vegetables bought there outside of the zone.
MPI's Director of Response, Veronica Herrera says this is good news but is not yet an indication that the flies are gone for good.
"We need some months yet to be quite sure this population has been eradicated. We believe that we will be working in the area until at least the end of November and we will need the community's support for the long haul," she says.
Fruit flies go to ground over winter and MPI expects to stop the baiting treatments in the controlled area in early June before resuming baiting in spring.
Surveillance traps will stay out over the winter to verify that the fruit fly is gone so international trading partners can be assured that New Zealand is once again fruit fly free.
Source: tvnz.co.nz/newstalkzb.co.nz
