Contact usInformation for primary producers
Biosecurity in its widest sense is concerned with preventing unwanted organisms from coming into New Zealand as well as the export of produce without organisms to other countries where they are not wanted. However, these web pages are only about preventing unwanted organisms from arriving and establishing in New Zealand. Export biosecurity issues are covered elsewhere.
Costs of newly established diseases and pests
If nothing is done, more than 500 new pests are expected to become established in New Zealand over the next decade at a cost to the economy of $921 million.
The costs of control are both direct and indirect.
Direct costs include the cost of having to control a 'new' pest or pathogen in a crop, especially if the crop has not previously needed fungicides or insecticides. Even if a crop has needed insecticides, for example, additional products may be needed and these may disrupt the biological control of existing pests. The disruption of biological control, especially where it is a key part of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), can be very costly. The arrival of western flower thrips in 1992 imposed long-term costs through the disruption of IPM for several greenhouse crops.
Indirect costs include the disruption caused to trade by the detection of a high-profile pest, such as fruit fly, in New Zealand, even if it is subsequently eradicated.
Surveillance for new diseases and pests
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand operate a range of surveillance programmes. Border surveillance aims to detect unwanted organisms as they enter the country on produce and other imported items, while surveillance and monitoring within New Zealand aims to detect new pests and pathogens while they are still eradicable. The latter includes ongoing trapping for fruit flies and gypsy moth, regular searches around identified high-risk sites, and industry cooperation with surveillance in productive sectors.
Early detection of a new disease or pest improves the chance of its eradication. People who work in crops can assist with surveillance for new diseases and pests. Pictorial guides are intended to assist growers and field workers in finding and identifying new pests and diseases before they become well established in New Zealand.
Early detection requires people working with crops and the general public to report suspected new organisms. You have a responsibility and obligation to inform MAF Biosecurity New Zealand if you suspect you have found a new organism.
Biosecurity research
Research on biosecurity is undertaken by several government organisations, Crown Research Institutes, universities and other organisations. A large portion of government-funded research into the biosecurity of crops is undertaken through a multi-provider programme, Better Border Biosecurity (B3).
