HortNZ welcomes lifting of fruit fly controls in Auckland

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) welcomes the decision to lift controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in an Auckland suburb after no further evidence of the Oriental fruit fly was found in the area.

A single male Oriental fruit fly was detected in a suburban backyard in Birkdale on the North Shore in February as a result of routine surveillance.

HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott said the organisation strongly supported the Biosecurity New Zealand response in Birkdale and thanked residents and businesses in the affected area for their support of movement controls.

“With no further Oriental fruit flies identified through the ongoing surveillance, we can be confident this was an isolated incident,” said Scott.

“We fully support the increased trapping, inspection efforts, and the legal restrictions on moving fruit and vegetables out of the affected area that were undertaken as part of Biosecurity New Zealand’s response.

“Protecting New Zealand’s horticulture sector from biosecurity threats like the fruit fly is critical to our economy and our reputation for producing high-quality fruit and vegetables.”