David Shearer
Hundreds of small and large horticultural business owners will be desperately worried about the discovery of the Queensland Fruit Fly in Auckland this month.
The presence of the fly – considered Australia’s worst agricultural pest – threatens New Zealand’s $6 billion horticulture industry.
As an agricultural nation, our border protection should be rock-solid.
Yet this is our fifth infestation in just four years.
Why does this continue to happen?
Under Labour, all baggage coming in from Australia was X-rayed – and it had to be, because more than 4% of people arriving had risky goods in their bags, like fruit, that required action.
Unwise decision
In 2012, the National government stopped X-raying everyone, instead only screening people who fit a certain profile.
It was an unwise decision.
Since then, we have had five Queensland Fruit Fly ‘scares,’ each worrisome and expensive, requiring public campaigns and extra staff to contain risk, while fruit and vegetable growers, wholesalers and retailers lose money.
You cannot cut corners when it comes to national biosecurity.
Our Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy should consider it his top priority.
Imperative action
He says he does, but his actions say otherwise.
Labour has been calling on him to reinstate the x-raying of 100% of baggage coming in to New Zealand from Australia.
It is essential. It is also a way for the government to prove that they are serious about protecting our businesses, and our country’s good reputation.
Meanwhile, at a local level, it has been incredible to see the community making the time to understand and follow the guidelines for containing the Queensland Fruit Fly.
If you live in the affected areas, thank you for your care, and please call 0800- 809966 if you see any signs of the fly or need any help.
While the government has let us down, our diligence may save the country billions in lost exports, and keep our reputation and horticulture industry intact –let us all be vigilant.
Once this emergency is behind us, you can be sure my colleagues and I will be asking some hard questions in parliament about keeping our borders secure in future.
David Shearer is Member of Parliament elected from Mt Albert. He is Labour Party’s Spokesman for Foreign Affairs and Consumer Affairs
