A recent review of biosecurity controls at the New Zealand borders recommends continuously adapting new technology. It was commissioned by MPI director-general Ray Smith after fruit flies were detected in Auckland earlier this year. The review was done by Australian biosecurity expert Rob Delane.
Smith says it is pleasing to see that the review found overall border protection services in mail and passenger pathways are world-class and they protect New Zealand well. But it notes significant challenges to NZ’s border and urges ongoing tactical and strategic improvement.
Importantly, MPI must equip with new technology to ensure its border systems keep up with rapid changes in travel and trade.
“The findings support our work to develop new baggage scanning technology, recommending that we move quickly to use real time tomography to scan all baggage at Auckland Airport,” says Smith.
“We are well advanced in developing a prototype scanner that can automatically detect goods that pose biosecurity risk. Earlier this month, officers detected an egg in a suitcase shortly after the installation of the first version of software specially designed for biosecurity.”
Controls Auckland back in place
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Northcote are back, following the detection of another Queensland fruit fly. A single male fruit fly was found in one of the network of traps remaining in place following the discovery of six other fruit flies in the area between February 20 and March 14.
Source: ruralnewsgroup.co.nz
