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Biosecurity – The year in review 2021
BIOSECURITY FEATURE
The Covid-19 pandemic has made the general public much more aware of terms that were already familiar to those of us involved in horticulture, pest management and biosecurity.
By Anna Rathé : HortNZ biosecurity manager
Terms like transmission, quarantine, vectors, latent periods, slowing the spread and virulence.
Hopefully the whole nation (and world) experiencing a human health biosecurity event will help with better biosecurity understanding and behaviours from the public in the future – which will, in turn, help to protect the sector. Whilst passenger numbers remain low, online shopping has boomed. E-commerce is an increasingly important pathway and with international packages comes biosecurity risk that needs to be managed carefully. Supply chain disruption has resulted in major delays with getting important goods and equipment into the country. Despite these challenging delays it is important to take the time to inspect any item from overseas carefully in an enclosed space before taking it out into the field or packhouse. It is critical to keep up with what is happening with pests, diseases and weeds overseas. International experts have been kind enough to virtually share their knowledge and learnings with New Zealand scientists, industry and officials this year to help us better prepare. Examples include spotted lanternfly, which is present in Pennsylvania and brown marmorated stink bug perspectives from Chile, Italy and the US. We are also watching what is happening over the ditch in terms of emerging risks. Australia has recently seen the rapid spread of fall armyworm as well as detections of two types of leafminer and a shot-hole borer – all pests that we don’t want to arrive here in New Zealand.
The usual focus on readiness has continued, with both government and industry recognising how important it is to use ‘peace time’ to get prepared for what may come. Collaborative readiness work has progressed for high-risk organisms such as fruit flies, brown marmorated stink bug, Xylella fastidiosa and Lepidoptera. Those in the biosecurity space are constantly working to reduce the risk of new organisms arriving and preparing for the incursions which do inevitably come. Whilst zero biosecurity risk might be nice, it simply is not realistic with trade, travel and natural wind and water currents; all of which can inadvertently bring pests and pathogens into our country despite New Zealand’s strong biosecurity system.
Unfortunately, responses have also featured this year, such as the pepino mosaic virus that the tomato sector and other Government Industry Agreement signatories have been responding to. Feeding into government consultations has been a big focus in 2021 too, with HortNZ lodging more than ten submissions (and counting) in the biosecurity space. Topics ranged from border levies, to importation of plant germplasm, to pathogen testing and the need to provide biosecurity information to passengers on their way to New Zealand.
Biosecurity submissions were lodged with the Ministry for Primary Industries, Customs and the Primary Production Select Committee.
The biosecurity business pledge has gained significant momentum this year. The signatories now number over 100 and include a very diverse range of organisations spanning all parts of the supply chain. Signatory organisations have spent the year improving their own biosecurity practices and sharing their learnings along the way. Looking forward into 2022, we’d like to encourage all growers to play your (very important) part in New Zealand’s biosecurity system. You can do this by: • Committing to the preparation of an on farm/orchard biosecurity plan. Guidance that steps you through how to prepare a plan is available from specific product groups and on the HortNZ website. • Making yourself familiar with the most unwanted pests, pathogens and weeds for your crop(s). • Downloading the find-a-pest app and reporting anything unusual. You can use the app or the MPI pest
and disease hotline (0800 80 99 66) to report, whichever you prefer. • Remaining vigilant when you open packages, mail or freight from overseas (including Christmas presents!). Unpack imported goods in an enclosed space and inspect them carefully for any unwanted hitchhikers.
