Data showed officials had responded to 15-20 breaches a year for the past decade.
People contacted his office 30 to 50 times a week with concerns about a possible biosecurity breach but, after investigating, staff responded 15 to 20 times a year.
Farmers and horticulturists had criticised MPI for the number of incursions of unwanted organisms and claims some imported products were contaminated.
Coleman said surveys showed no biosecurity breaches came via mail and there was a 99.2% interception of unwanted products at airports.
He acknowledged there was a perception the country was battling more incursions but there was a reason for that.
“We are moving towards being more public-facing with our responses and a consequence is the perception that there are more.”
He gave examples of MPI holding a series of public meetings about the velvetleaf incursion from contaminated fodder beet seed and consultation with people in Wairarapa who, in a bid to eradicate pea weevil, would not be able to grow peas for two years.
Coleman said the contaminated fodder beet seed was the result of the seed importer and exporter not following phytosanitary processes and regulations in Italy where the seed was produced and the fault of the Danish company that certified it.
“It is cold comfort but now we have different processes put in place.”
Fodder beet seed was produced in 15 countries and until a year ago Italy was not considered a risk, he said.
The discovery of an animal leg in a shipment of palm kernel resulted in MPI requiring all imported palm kernel has to pass through a 4mm sieve.
The discovery and high profile responses to unwanted organisms such as Queensland fruit fly were also signs the biosecurity system was working and people were being attentive.
“I am confident that if there is a male fruit fly in NZ we’ll have it trapped.”
MPI had intentionally made public concerns about the threat of unwanted organisms such as the brown marmorated stink bug and the Russian wheat aphid to heighten public awareness.
No system was completely watertight but Coleman was confident NZ’s biosecurity systems were robust because of the level of intervention and the fact people were alerting MPI to anything suspicious.
Biosecurity involved three layers.
Pre-border covered international standards, trade agreements and risk assessment standards.
Border covered intervention, auditing of compliance and inspection.
Post-border measures included surveillance, readiness, response and long-term pest and disease management.
If there was a systems failure, Coleman said he was confident the response would be effective because of the support of partners such as farmers, Federated Farmers, regional councils, Foundation for Arable Research and Crown research institutes.
Another reason for that confidence was the continued development of diagnostics which helped identify organisms and assisted in planning a response.
“I know it is frustrating for the industry, farmers and property owners, but the reality is we have got velvetleaf in a very good known state.”
Andrew Coleman
MPI
While acknowledging the difficulties for 251 farmers now having to deal with velvetleaf, Coleman said it was positive it was known where the weed was.
“I know it is frustrating for the industry, farmers and property owners but the reality is we have got velvetleaf in a very good, known state.”
Farmers knew which paddocks were infected and they would be given information on how to remove and dispose of it before germination.
Similarly, the discovery of Russian wheat aphid in South Australia allowed MPI to ratchet up controls and surveillance to keep it out.
Asked about the discovery of Noogoora burr, Coleman said there was much supposition that it got here in a shipment of maize but that was not correct.
MPI had to balance the requirements of industry wanting to import biological material with the associated risk and that came down to ensuring the layered system first prevented any breach but then quickly responded should that fail.
As part of that he would like to see landowners implement a biosecurity plan for their properties, similar to a health and safety plan.
It would ensure they were aware of the origins of what went onto their properties and that they had a response to any disease and pest outbreak.
Biosecurity breaches
Unwanted nasties
November 2010: PSA (bacteria).
Early 2000s Noogoora burr (weed).
September 2012: Theileria (cattle tick).
January 2014: Queensland fruit fly (did not establish).
Mid 2000s and February 2016: Velvetleaf (weed).
March 2016: Eucalyptus beetle (insect).
March 2016: Black grass (weed).
July 2016: Pea weevil (insect).
Incursions
July 2012-July 2013
14 incursions identified.
Four organisms established.
Eight organisms mitigated, eradicated or did not establish.
August 2013-September 2014
14 incursions identified.
One organism established.
Nine organisms mitigated, eradicated or did not establish.
November 2014-December 2015
Nine incursions identified.
Two organisms established.
Five organisms mitigated, eradicated or did not establish.
January 2016-February 2016
Five incursions identified.
One organism established.
One organism mitigated, eradicated or did not establish.
Total: July 2012-February 2016.
42 incursions identified.
Eight organisms established.
23 organisms mitigated, eradicated or did not establish.
