Pests & Diseases News

The invasive algae didymo has been confirmed in the Rangitata Diversion Race, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is urging travellers to Australia to be mindful of a serious virus destroying abalone there and to take precautions to avoid inadvertently carrying it back to infect New Zealand paua.

With the discovery of dead didymo cells in several central North Island rivers yesterday, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) and Central North Island regional partner organisations are reminding anglers and other recreational freshwater users to check, clean and dry their equipment between waterways.

Dead didymo cells have been found in some samples of water taken late last week from the Tongariro, Whakapapa, Mangatepopo and Whanganui Rivers.

The invasive alga didymo has been detected in the upper Clarence River, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand announced today.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is continuing work tracing and seizing a number of genetically modified (GM) aquarium fish that are not permitted in the country.

With the fishing season due to start next Monday (October 1), MAF Biosecurity New Zealand and Fish & Game are reminding anglers, and other recreational freshwater users of the importance of cleaning their equipment between waterways.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's biosecurity arm, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) says New Zealand already has measures in place to protect against the introduction of bluetongue, but is nevertheless keeping an eye on the situation in the UK where bluetongue has been detected in a cow.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) has introduced interim emergency import requirements for horses from countries with endemic equine influenza, to further reduce the risk of the virus entering New Zealand.

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) announced today that all test results from horses imported from Australia, and horses in contact with these animals, were negative for equine influenza.