Corn seed smuggler sentenced

A recidivist seed smuggler has been sentenced to community service after he was caught trying to sneak untreated corn seeds into the country.

Richard Watson, a North Canterbury seed grower, pleaded guilty to a charge of recklessly importing unauthorised goods after trying to smuggle seeds from the United States.

He had arranged for the heirloom seeds to be sent to a relative in New Zealand.

They were stuffed into hand-sewn pincushions, with no mention of the package’s biological contents.

His plan was foiled by an X-ray machine at Auckland airport.

Several of Watson’s packages had been intercepted before, and he had been spoken to by authorities about the correct process for importing seeds.

Computer records showed Watson had researched how to import seeds legally numerous times before opting for an illegal method.

He was sentenced to 180 hours’ community service at the Christchurch District Court.

Ministry of Primary Industries border clearance services manager Andrew Spelman said untreated corn seeds could contain mites, fungi and viruses which could damage New Zealand’s agriculture.

‘‘We have biosecurity checks in place for a very good reason. Those who deliberately avoid these checks put peoples’ livelihoods and our environment at risk,’’ he said.

‘‘We go to great lengths at the border to protect New Zealand’s environment and agricultural economy, and some people go to great lengths to avoid these measures for their own interest.’’

In 2012, New Zealand-grown corn and grain were worth $380 million to the economy.