Legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables on Auckland’s North Shore will remain in place for the next few weeks as part of the response to the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly last month.

Sector groups, including KVH staff and industry personnel from APAC, have been providing support for heightened operational activities, which are continuing a little longer as a precautionary approach.

It’s anticipated the restrictions will remain in place until Thursday 10 April. This is vital to success in keeping fruit fly out of New Zealand and protecting kiwifruit growers, and horticultural exports. It also ensures we can be confident there is no breeding population, based on scientific advice about the fly’s life cycle.

To date, no other Oriental fruit flies have been found.

As well as the movement controls in place, fruit fly traps will continue to be regularly checked over the coming weeks and specialist staff in the mobile field laboratory will cut up and inspect fruit and vegetables collected in the area for any signs of larvae.

For more information:

• Biosecurity New Zealand website for detailed movement restriction information and fact sheets.
• KVH Oriental fruit fly fact sheet.
• KVH Oriental fruit fly identification guide.