New Zealand’s Biosecurity Is Bigger Than Beagles

New Zealand’s Biosecurity Is Bigger Than Beagles

If you think biosecurity is just about beagles on Border Patrol, think again.

According to the national president of the New Zealand Biosecurity Institute, Craig Davey, it is much more than that. The Institute is launching the first NZ Biosecurity Month in July to get the message across to New Zealanders that they all have a role to play in protecting New Zealand from invasive species.

“Border controls to prevent the entry of new and potentially damaging species into New Zealand are the first line of biosecurity defense,” Craig says.

“There is also a massive effort out there dealing with pests that are already in the country."

There is a lot at stake. Invasive pests are considered the second most serious threat to biodiversity worldwide, second only to habitat loss.

“New Zealand is lucky to have more than its fair share of biodiversity to protect but the flipside is that we also have more than our fair share of introduced pests to control,” says Craig.

“It’s about getting rid of the bad stuff to protect the good stuff,” says Craig.

“Our temperate climate is such that many animal and plant pests and diseases that threaten our native flora and fauna, and our health and economy, can thrive here.”

The New Zealand Biosecurity Institute, which celebrates its12th anniversary this year, has over 300 members from 110 different government departments, universities, non-governmental organizations, crown research agencies, contracting companies and individuals.

“Our members are all passionate about the work they do to protect New Zealand from biosecurity risks,” says Craig.

“They range from top strategic managers and research scientists, through to those who set the possum and rat traps and get out there and control the weed species.”

Craig emphasizes that there are things that every New Zealander can do to help prevent or minimize the impact of introduced species on our health, wealth and lifestyles. People need to familiarize themselves with which pest species have national and regional controls on them, and ensuring that they don’t harbour these pests on their property or spread them round unwittingly.

The New Zealand Biosecurity Institute also recommends visiting your local regional council website to find out which pests are problems in your area. Learn how to recognise the pests that are invading your part of the country and keep your eyes out for them. Find out who and where to report any sightings.

ENDS

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