Insect larvae found onboard a bulk vessel, docked at Timaru, prompted the fumigation of the ship at sea.
Highlights of the News :
- The ship was carrying palm kernel extract from Malaysia to Timaru.
- As part of a routine inspection by a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) quarantine officer found a insect larvae on board the bulker, on Tuesday.
- MPI instructed the ship’s operator to choose an option to manage the potential biosecurity risk posed by the larvae.
- waiting for identification of the larvae species before deciding on further action.
- undergoing treatment,
- destroying the cargo or re-shipment.
- The vessel’s operator chose to treat the larvae by fumigation.
- The fumigant used was highly poisonous and meant the ship had to be sent out to sea.
MPI regularly intercepts biosecurity risk items from vessels/cargo, the spokesman said.
“Overseas vessels always pose a biosecurity risk, which is why MPI has a full-time quarantine officer based at the Timaru port.”
Source: Stuff.co.nz
