Managing the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) threat offshore is the Ministry for Primary Industries’ key strategy to keep the pest out of New Zealand.
Stink bugs made their way to New Zealand on vehicle carriers from Japan earlier this year, threatening New Zealand’s primary industries.
An MPI spokesperson told Auto Media Group new cleaning requirements would be part of the updated Import Health Standard.
“As part of the development of the new IHS, MPI is looking at cleaning and treatment requirements before leaving port for vehicles and machinery imported from a range of countries that have established BMSB populations, including Japan.
“We are also looking at requiring used machinery from any country to be certified that it has undergone cleaning and treatment before arriving in New Zealand.
“Earlier this year, we made it compulsory for all imported used vehicles from Japan to undergo cleaning at an MPI-approved facility prior to leaving Japan.”
There will also be increased auditing and inspection of vessels and cargo arriving from countries with established stink bug populations and a public awareness about the dangers of BMSB, with the aim of encouraging early reporting.
“We are currently running a winter campaign to encourage people to keep alert for any sign of infestation in their homes. The bug hibernates inside when the weather gets cold.”
It is also introducing other preventative measures, including new storage and loading requirements for cargo and the use of traps aboard vessels.
MPI says heat treatment will most likely be its preferred approved treatment option on vehicles coming in from Japan, given fumigation with methyl bromide or sulfuryl fluoride is restricted in that country.
“At this stage, MPI is not proposing to adopt an alternative treatment method. There has been discussion with industry about other measures (eg. freezing), but MPI would require sufficient scientific evidence to support their use.”
Inspection companies Jevic, ATL and ATJ are all investing in heat treatment technology in preparation for the new IHS to be introduced.
The new IHS is due to be introduced on September 1, with MPI currently considering submissions.
Auto Media Group understands at this stage, ships with dead stink bugs on them will be allowed to discharge vehicles, while any live stink bugs found will be asked to leave New Zealand waters.
