New Zealand has sent two illegal seed importers packing after they tried to enter the country with 14 packages of seeds hidden in their luggage.
Two Chinese nationals were en route a to wedding when they were picked up by the Ministry for Primary Industries at Auckland Airport and put straight back on a return flight to Shanghai.
Strong bio-security protection is a major focus for the continued growth of New Zealand’s horticulture industry according to Andrew Fenton, president of industry body Horticulture NZ.
He said: “Vigilance at our border will always be the backbone for growth of all our primary sector industries. We can’t grow without that protection.
“Anyone who threatens our border should get a quick look at the arrivals hall and then be turned around fast back to where they came from. It would be nice if we could fine them heaps as well, but this sends a much stronger message to their friends, families and their own wallets.”
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