7 Jun 2018
55,000 fruit tree cuttings seized, compensation possible
Agriculture officials have begun seizing 55,000 fruit tree cuttings imported from the United States after it was found the paperwork allowing them into the country was defective. The Ministry for Primary Industries says there's no evidence the cuttings represent a biosecurity threat, but it's not prepared to take chances. The nursery industry is calling the ministry's response over the top. John Brightwell leads the ministry's biosecurity response team.