New Zealand growers are eager for any threat from the destructive fruit fly to be eradicated, and have been asked to report any suspected finds of the insect to MPI's Pest and Diseases hotline. Photo: RNZ / Tom Kitchin
The Horticulture Industry is concerned about the discovery of a single oriental fruit fly - but is confident MPI will eradicate any further incursion.
The search for oriental fruit flies is continuing in South Auckland after one was found in a Papatoetoe surveillance trap on Friday.
It is a significant threat, with maggots capable of feeding on more than 300 different fruit and vegetable crops.
An oriental fruit fly was found in trap in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe, on Friday 3 December. Photo: Supplied / MPI
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Kate Scott said the small fly could cause significant issues for the industry.
"The risk to the New Zealand economy, and in particular to horticulture, would be substantial in the event that this oriental fruit fly was found to have had an established population.
"Obviously there's an immediate impact in terms of, you know, the fruit and vegetables that are growing because this fly uses those fruit and vegetables as a host, so that would impact domestic supply.
"But the main hit would be that many countries which we export to would probably choose not to take our products moving forward - that would have huge flow-on economic impacts."
Horticulture NZ chief executive Kate Scott Photo: Supplied/ Horticulture NZ
MPI has restricted the movement of fruit and vegetables around the location where the fruit fly was found - in case there are others.
Instead of putting waste in rubbish bins to be disposed of normally, residents are being asked to put fruit and vegetable waste into special response bins for Biosecurity New Zealand to dispose of securely.
Kate Scott said MPI had successfully eradicated fruit fly incursions in the past - so growers have faith in its response.
"I've been incredibly impressed with the approach that MPI has taken to responding to this find of the single fruit fly, they have moved swiftly, they have really robust systems and processes in place, so I have a high degree of confidence."
Growers also play an important role and are always checking crops and orchards for pests, she said.
United Fresh represents companies right through the produce supply chain.
President, Jerry Prendergast said there are multiple wholesale produce markets near where the fly was found.
"Quite close, in fact, most of the big wholesale markets are are within kilometres of that particular find location. They're not within the restricted zone, but that could become a big challenge for product movement if they are included.
"We have confidence in MPI, and markets do have contingency plans in place should they be put into a restricted area."
Prendergast said it is important people know it is still safe to consume produce.
"The last thing we want is for people to be fearful of consuming fruit and vegetables - they are safe and there's no reason why they shouldn't be consumed.
"There's plenty of great quality produce in the market at the moment, so I'd encourage everyone to get out and eat their five plus a day."
Growers have been asked to report any suspected finds of the oriental fruit fly to MPI's Pest and Diseases hotline, on 0800 80 99 66.
The Ministry for Primary Industries have also since said they have found no new fruit flies.
Restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetable will remain in place in parts of Papatoetoe and Māngare for at least a fortnight.
They have been placed on two zones within a 200-metre and one-point-five-kilometre radius from the location where the insect was found on Gray Avenue.
An MPI spokesperson said they are checking traps, collecting waste from bins in the area to dispose of safely, and inspecting fruit through its mobile laboratory.
Biosecurity NZ regional Commissioner North, Mike Inglis, previously asked residents in the two zones to put their produce waste into the bins.
As of Monday more than 150 staff were contributing to the response including biosecurity, scientific and laboratory, trade, and public information tasks.
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