New Zealand biosecurity has scrapped plans to eradicate an agricultural pest discovered in Auckland in January, TVNZ reported.
Studies conducted on the hadda beetle, which affects tomato and potato crops, show the pest is well established, and could have been in the country for as long as four years.
The beetle was first discovered in the Dove-Myer Robinson Park in Auckland, and has now been found in 22 locations around the city, some up to 8km from the first detection.
The Ministry of Agriculture now believes removing the beetle is not a viable option, given its spread and the lack of a proven treatment.
Ministry spokesman David Yard said the cost of eradication was around NZ$200m (US$140.38m) and this far exceeded the potential economic impact of the pest.
"We will work with the horticulture industry to minimise the impact that this new pest may have," said Mr Yard.
An advisory group consisting of Horticulture New Zealand and Potatoes New Zealand growers has been formed to work with the Ministry's biosecurity division to investigate how to best manage the situation.
So far all locations where the beetle has been sighted have been sprayed, and infected plants have been removed to prevent further spread.
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