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Wairarapa Biosecurity Incursion Staggering Incompetence

Richard Prosser MP

Spokesperson for Biosecurity
27 AUGUST 2016

Wairarapa Biosecurity Incursion Staggering Incompetence

New Zealand First says the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) handling of the pea weevil incursion in Wairarapa shows yet again National’s staggering incompetence on biosecurity.

“MPI took an unbelievable 119 days to impose a growing ban after confirming the presence of pea weevil. In that time 80,000 bales of pea straw have been sent all over the North Island,” says Biosecurity Spokesperson Richard Prosser.

“That probably means the weevil can’t be eradicated. It probably means New Zealand can’t grow and export spray-free peas anymore. It probably means a significant and ongoing loss for a $160 million industry.

“The National Government continually talks up the importance of biosecurity and they continually fail to resource it properly. MPI simply doesn’t have the money, the manpower, or seemingly the direction or urgency from above, to take these outbreaks seriously.

“We need to know how this latest pest entered New Zealand because it’s one of about 20 such incursions every year. The clock is ticking towards this government’s incompetence letting in foot and mouth disease. How can we have confidence in them handling that, if they can’t deal with a pea weevil?


ENDS


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