It’s high-risk season for fruit flies entering New Zealand borders and KVH is calling for everyone travelling internationally at this time of year to be extra vigilant when returning to New Zealand.

Over the last few summers there have been regular fruit fly interceptions this side of the border during the summer months, and as recently as February 2015 significant government and industry responses were triggered.

A Mediterranean Fruit Fly has also recently been found in Santiago, Chile, and efforts - including sampling, and treatment of soil on properties near the detection zone – are underway. The seasonal alignment of countries in the same hemisphere means that unwanted fruit flies arriving from Chile could get here in a life stage suited to the current climate and have an increased chance of survival.

Everyone in the kiwifruit industry is responsible for managing biosecurity risks when travelling. Always declare or dispose of biosecurity risk goods and use the KVH best practice guide to learn more about what can be expected through border control when arriving back in New Zealand.