18 Apr 2014

Fruit fly restrictions could be lifted soon

5:32 pm on 18 April 2014

Restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables in parts of Whangarei could be lifted from Saturday.

A Queensland fruit fly was discovered in a surveillance trap in the suburb of Parihaka on 1 April, sparking a biosecurity alert and the setting of traps in the city. It was the second such incident since January this year.

The Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni).

The Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni). Photo: James Niland

The insect makes fruit and vegetables inedible and there are fears it could cripple a $4 billion export industry if it becomes established.

More than 60 staff from the Ministry for Primary Industries are in Whangarei and the final trap clearance is due to be completed on Friday and Saturday.

MPI chief operations officer Andrew Coleman said restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables in Whangarei could then be lifted if no more fruit flies are found.