Richard Prosser MP

Spokesperson for Primary Industries
24 FEBRUARY 2015

Don’t Blame the Aussies

Blaming a growth in fruit fly numbers in Australia is a new twist from the Prime Minister who’s trying to play down his government’s duty to protect New Zealand growers and their crops, says New Zealand First.

“It’s a cop out by Prime Minister John Key whose government has been derelict in its duty to protect New Zealand,” says Primary Industries spokesperson Richard Prosser.

“Our horticultural crops are so important to our livelihood, the government should have been building up our border defences, not breaking them down.

“The Government has let down the guard and now it looks like we have a breeding population of the Queensland Fruit Fly in Auckland – this is unacceptable.

“It’s all very well to add extra staff and dogs now, but the horse has already bolted.

“The Queensland fruit fly has always been a problem in Australia – any simpleton would know that leaving the stable doors ajar is pure folly.

“Every good scout knows the motto, ‘be prepared’. The government has not been.

“We are in danger of losing a significant chunk of a $6billion industry, which we can’t afford to lose, because of a little Australian fly with a huge appetite for fruit.

“It’s time for this government to put prevention permanently in place.

“Bring back 100% screening at the border permanently, close the direct exit path, check everybody and everything, x-ray, inspect, and fumigate – it is the only sensible workable solution.

“Close the stable door now Prime Minister,” says Mr Prosser.

ENDS

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