MPI is working to keep the brown marmorated stink bug from New Zealand shores. Photo: Allied PressBiosecurity efforts remain in place at the PrimePort Timaru as New Zealand continues efforts to repel the brown marmorated stink bug. A vessel, carrying motor vehicles from Japan, was recently turned away from the Ports of Auckland following the discovery of more than 100 brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB). "That ship and its cargo should not be allowed anywhere near our shoreline until we have assurances that it is comprehensively fumigated with all the marmorated stink bugs destroyed," he said. Those discoveries, referred to as "hitchhiking pests" by MPI, have been found among machinery and general cargo.Mr Spelman said MPI deals with any discoveries case by case.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 20, 2018 16:04 UTC