Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

The Bay of Plenty faces many biosecurity threats to its freshwater, marine environment and land, and everyone needs to be vigilant.

As an island nation, New Zealand is largely free of many of the pests and diseases found in other countries. Keeping those unwanted pests and diseases out – and controlling those that have already crossed our borders – protects our environment and those living here. It also helps New Zealand exporters to market high quality, uncontaminated goods around the world.

In New Zealand we have a very responsive biosecurity system designed to do just that. The Ministry of Primary Industry is the lead agency where biosecurity is concerned and it works with industry organisations and regional councils to identify and manage pests.

I recently attended a Freight and Logistics Actiion Group (FLAG) meeting where the biosecurity risks to our regional and national economy were outlined. These risks are very real and significant. The Queensland fruit fly experience in Auckland was used to demonstrate the costs and implications of a major biosecurity incursion to our port, our exporters and our primary industries.

There are many ways that foreign pests can find their way into New Zealand, and while systems are in place to keep them out, we all need to be vigilant in case something slips through the monitoring network. Members of the public have an important role to play by keeping watch for anything potentially exotic or unwanted. If you suspect you have seen or found an unwanted pest or disease please call the Biosecurity hotline urgently on 0800 80 99 66.

If you have views on this or any other issue, you can email me at neesj@xtra.co.nz or ring me on 07 579 5150.