Biosecurity New Zealand has ended its Oriental fruit fly operations and lifted restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe.
The move, which it says comes after no further evidence of the Oriental fruit fly in the area, signals the end of five weeks of intensive fruit fly trapping and the inspection of nearly 4,000 kilograms of fruit.
Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north, Mike Inglis says eradicating the fruit fly would not have been possible without strong community support.
“I’d like to thank residents and businesses in Papatoetoe for their efforts in helping us get rid of this pest. Everyone who’s complied with movement controls, disposed of food waste in our bins, and simply kept an eye out for Oriental fruit fly has helped make this possible,” he said.
“Given there have been no further detections, the Controlled Area Notice restrictions can be lifted and response operations closed.”
Biosecurity New Zealand’s wheelie bins will now be removed and road signs will be dismantled.
Mr Inglis said the end of its response does not mean the end of fruit fly surveillance. Biosecurity New Zealand’s nearly 8,000 fruit fly traps across the country, including over 4,600 in Auckland, remain in place. They are designed to specifically target the Queensland fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, and Oriental fruit fly.
“These surveillance traps have once again demonstrated just how effective they are in targeting exotic species of fruit fly,” he said.
Biosecurity New Zealand staff will also be out in the community handing out flyers about the response closure and personally thanking residents and business owners for their contribution to the effort.
“An infestation could devastate our production and export market if it ever became established in the country,” said Biosecurity Minister, Andrew Hoggard.
“I’m proud of our rigorous biosecurity system, which includes the treatment of fruit before it arrives in New Zealand, checks at the border at both airports and import facilities, and surveillance trapping to catch any flies that slip through with passengers or on imported goods.
“Its thoroughness and the professionalism of our Biosecurity New Zealand staff help keep our industries safe every day,” he said.
