Fruit fly body-count hits five as Pasifika Festival's future pondered
World's largest celebration of Pacific Island culture may have to move due to incursion of unwanted Aussie import.
Another Queensland fruit fly has been found in Auckland today as 180 staff from the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) scour the suburb of Grey Lynn for more of the bio-security threat.
The male fly was discovered in a trap in the Grey Lynn control area, out of which no whole fresh fruit or vegetables other than leafy and root vegetables may be taken.
MPI has also laid bait and undertaken ground-based spraying and a public awareness campaign in the affected area.
The discovery is “a significant development,” according to MPI, which remains confident it’s dealing with an isolated population that will be successfully eradicated.
Meanwhile, MPI and Auckland events agency ATEED are still in discussions about whether the annual Pasifika Festival can be held in mid-March at Western Springs Park, which borders the Grey Lynn outbreak area.
The festival, billed as the world’s largest celebration of Pacific Island culture and expected to attract more than 80,000 people, is due to be held on March 14 and 15.
According to ATEED there are several alternative sites being considered for the festival, including Ellerslie Racecourse and a regional park.
Nick Grant
Tue, 24 Feb 2015
Tue, 24 Feb 2015
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Fruit fly body-count hits five as Pasifika Festival's future pondered
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