Pest Organisms

Many times people ask 'Is this plant legal ?'

The link below takes you to the Biosecurity NZ Website and a list of all Pet Plants. The manual explains everything you need to know about what isn't allowed.

www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests-diseases/plants/accord.htm

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand message to NZFAS members

MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) is seeking help from members of aquarium fish clubs to locate genetically modified zebra danio fish that have been distributed both online and through some pet stores.

The danios at issue have been genetically modified with a red fluorescent protein to make them a bright red/pink. (See photo)

You may be aware that earlier this week biosecurity personnel visited four premises in Christchurch (two private breeders and two stores) and seized and humanely destroyed approximately 300 of the fish.

MAFBNZ is now working with members of the aquarium fish community to trace where these fish have been sold in order that arrangements can be made to have the fish humanely put down.

If you have bright red/pink coloured danios in your possession, or who know someone who has these fish, please make contact on the biosecurity freephone 0800 80 99 66.

The presence of the modified danios in New Zealand was first brought to MAFBNZ’s attention by members of the aquarium community who’d seen them for sale online. It’s understood the fish are part of, or bred from a consignment of red danio fish that were imported from Singapore earlier this year and cleared for entry to the country on the basis of an incorrect declaration by the importer.

The fish pose an extremely low risk in biosecurity terms as they are unlikely to enter the food chain or have environmental impacts. They are, however, not authorised to be in New Zealand and are in breach of the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act. The importation, possession or sale of live genetically modified organisms in New Zealand is illegal without the approval of the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA).

MAFBNZ says it’s important the fish are dealt with by biosecurity officers and humanely destroyed. An aquatic anaesthetic is used to first sedate the fish before overdosing them with the product. The fish are monitored at all times for any signs of distress. At the very least, if fish owners take matters into their own hands, they should be disposed of into land-based bins and not in a manner where they could get into waterways.

MAFBNZ is keen to stress that its current priority is not prosecution. Its main focus at this stage is retrieving as many of the fish as possible. Prosecution will only be undertaken as a measure of last resort where the degree of culpability or potential/actual consequences of the breach of HSNO are considered serious enough to warrant action.

To report information on GM danios, please call 0800 80 99 66.

Should you require further information, please email:
Lesley Patston, MAFBNZ Communications Adviser on Lesley.patston@maf.govt.nz
Or Abi Loughnan, MAF BNZ Marine Adviser on Abi.loughnan@maf.govt.nz