Another ship refused due to stink bugs
A second ship has been turned away from the Ports of Auckland after stink bugs were found on board.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officers found more than 100 marmorated stink bugs, and about 30 other insects.
The boat arrived on February 11, but was not allowed to unload cargo and ordered out of New Zealand waters, an MPI spokesman said.
Tokyo Car was the second carcarrier ship from Japan to be turned away in a week due to stink bug and other insect infestations.
The noxious pest could cause hundreds of millions of dollars to the New Zealand economy if it made its way onto Kiwi soil.
Apples, kiwifruit, corn, tomatoes, cherries and wheat were among the threatened foods.
Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) chief executive Barry O’Neil said he was very concerned because the brown stink bug could destroy fruit and vegetable industries.
‘‘These are ships that have had hundreds of stink bugs on them and it is nothing like we have seen before.’’
In the past, single insects or small infestations have been found, he said.
O’Neil said he wasn’t sure why larger infestations were now being found. The insect would not only cause damage the horticulture industry, but also infested homes, ruined gardens and caused a bad stink when crushed, he said.
‘‘KVH is pleased with the ongoing diligence of MPI to detect these stink bugs at the border.’’
The MPI spokesman said during an inspection of latest contaminated ship, officers found 100 dead brown marmorated stink bugs, two live and 23 dead yellow stink bugs and other regulated insect pests.
Following fumigation, officers found an additional 24 dead and one live brown marmorated stink bugs and eight live yellow stink bugs on the vessel.
In the previous case, a cargo was being unloaded off a ship in the Ports of Auckland when more than a hundred stink bugs were found. An MPI spokesman said the ship, Courageous Ace, was directed to stop discharging, raise its ramp and seal the vessel.
Both vessels would have to be treated offshore before to returning, he said.
Federated Farmers’ Guy Wigley said the stink bug would have a huge financial impact on the farming industry.