New Zealand’s Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has suspended imports of fresh lychees and mangoes from Taiwan after authorities found live fruit fly larvae in a shipments of the fruits.
MPI found the larvae in a consignment on 18 June and confirmed it as oriental fruit fly the following day. The fly has been found at the border before but never elsewhere within New Zealand.
Native to Asia, oriental fruit flies lay eggs in fruit and the maggots then feed on the fruit, causing it to rot and making it unmarketable.
Radio New Zealand reported imports of lychees and mangoes from Taiwan that are vapour heat treated have been suspended while an investigation takes place.
Shipments arriving at the border will be held, with the option of destroying the produce or shipping it back.
