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EN
NZ Blueberry Industry Sounds Alarm Over MPI Import Plan
['Rural News Group', 'Written', 'Staff Reporters']
Rural News Group
She says NZ blueberry growers are worried about pests like fruit fly arriving on blueberries from these countries.
“And the risk isn’t contained to the blueberry industry, since a fruit fly incursion will affect kiwifruit and apple growers too.
“So, there’s a lot of concern among NZ growers but so far MPI doesn’t seem to be listening to our concerns.”
Currently, New Zealand’s blueberry industry is valued at approximately $150 million, with aims to double that.
Thorough AssessmentLisa Winthrop, Biosecurity New Zealand director, biosecurity import & export standards, says Biosecurity New Zealand has engaged ‘extensively’ with the blueberry industry throughout the development of the proposed import standards.