Biosecurity Week has a focus on the Port of Tauranga with staff, transitional facilities, associated industries such as transporters and other logistical operators, and biosecurity experts helping raise awareness around managing biosecurity risk.
Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns says it provides a good opportunity to strengthen the significance of biosecurity within the port community.
Overseas pests and diseases can cause serious harm to New Zealand’s environment and primary industries; and the port is one of many potential gateways.
Activities from November 1-3 highlight the importance of biosecurity and the role everyone in the Bay of Plenty can play in managing unwanted biosecurity risks, Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive Barry O’Neil says.
He says the Psa disease’s impact on the kiwifruit industry is a reminder to be vigilant. “There are bugs and pests that we don’t want here in New Zealand because of the devastating effect they will have not only on kiwifruit, but on the whole of our horticulture industry and environment.”
One of the most unwanted bugs is the brown marmorated stink bug which ruins fruit and infests homes.
Ruud ‘The Bug Man’ Kleinpaste attended several industry and community school group presentations this week to discuss the vital role of people in keeping out unwanted pests and diseases.
Biosecurity Week is part of the biosecurity excellence partnership between Port of Tauranga, the Ministry for Primary Industries, Kiwifruit Vine Health, NZ Avocado, Dairy NZ, Forestry Owners Association, NZ Customs and Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
It has a formal partnership with New Zealand’s Biological Heritage national science challenge and the B3 (Better Border Biosecurity) science collaboration. This has been boosted by a $1.95 million co-funded research project with B3 to trial new tools and technologies in the port environment, monitor biosecurity awareness in the local community, and measure the impacts of changes on biosecurity risk.
