The credibility of New Zealand’s biosecurity has been damaged after woolly apple aphids were found on Hawke’s Bay apples exported to China, reports the Nelson Mail.
The discovery was made two months ago, but only disclosed at Pipfruit New Zealand's annual conference on Thursday.
Hundreds of aphids were found on the New Zealand apples by Chinese authorities. Most of the insects were dead, but some had apparently survived the trip.
The apples were treated with methyl bromide and permitted to enter the Chinese market, but China sent a warning to New Zealand exporters.
MAF Biosecurity, the government agency responsible for setting up and certifying exporters’ phytosanitary procedures, are conducting an inquiry into the debacle.
They say the failure of New Zealand’s biosecurity measures may have far reaching consequences for the country’s export markets, which currently cover 150 countries.
The Chinese market is worth NZ$19m to the New Zealand pipfruit industry.
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