The Simple Seven: Controlling Pests Over the Holidays
Category: National. Posted: 22 December 2019
People working to prevent the spread of invasive pests in New Zealand are asking holidaymakers for help over the summer.
Key biosecurity sector interest group, the New Zealand Biosecurity Institute says its members’ ongoing battle against unwanted animals, plants and diseases will be greatly helped this Summer if Kiwis observe seven simple actions.
The Simple Seven are:
- clean boots and outdoor equipment thoroughly
- check, clean, and dry equipment that has been in waterways
- stay on tracks particularly around kauri trees
- dispose of garden waste or aquarium contents in the compost or a waste management site
- desex pets
- Declare biosecurity-risk items at the border and ask overseas visitors do the same
- Keep an eye out for unwanted hitch-hikers on packages from overseas
Institute president Alice McNatty said “these actions are very simple and yet will make a world of difference for our native species, and our agricultural industry.”
Ms McNatty said every year Institute members spend hundreds of hours controlling or managing the risks to the economy and the environment of the effects of introduced pests.
“This is work which costs the country hundreds of millions of dollars each year through control, research and border control budgets. This money is coming out of all New Zealanders’ pockets,” she said.
The NZ Biosecurity Institute is the professional training and networking organisation for people involved in biosecurity. Its 450 members work for research organisations, educational institutions, regional councils and government departments.
All are involved in protecting NZ from invasive species.