KVH, Biosecurity New Zealand, and many others who operate across the biosecurity system take an educative approach to the management of biosecurity risk and always strive to encourage the very best biosecurity practices.

However, there are times further action needs to be taken and at KVH we noted recently a hefty fine for parking uncleared sea containers in a paddock which resulted in charges laid under the Biosecurity Act. This should send a clear message about the need to follow biosecurity rules.

The company (Auslink International New Zealand Limited) and its logistics manager were sentenced in June on eight charges each. Auslink was fined $16,250, and the manager was fined $12,000.

Compliance investigators found that, between December 2021 and April 2022, Auslink was required to conduct biosecurity checks for 15 sea containers at its approved transitional facility. None of the biosecurity checks were done in full. In the end, 13 of the 15 sea containers were sent to a paddock at a farm. While no exotic pests were found in or on the containers, Biosecurity New Zealand argued the defendants took an unacceptable risk.