Biosecurity
| This material has been produced by the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ)
under contract to the Ministry of Education. It has been written to assist teachers
and schools in their delivery of the technology/ hangarau curriculum statements.
The project is jointly coordinated by personnel from the Technology Education
New Zealand (TENZ)
and National Association of Māori Mathematicians, Scientists and Technologists
(NAMMSAT) networks. Monitoring and evaluation of the material is carried out
by a national project advisory group. |
A 3 November 2001 Press Association report pointed to
the finding of a live Black Widow spider in a bunch of Californian table
grapes in a Nelson supermarket. This was the fourth find in as
many months.
The first two spiders to be found were the result of a
fumigation failure in the treatment facility in California and resulted
in a suspension of imports of the grapes while the facility was investigated.
Following the find of the third spider a major audit showed no fault
in the procedures followed by the treatment facility.
Currently New Zealand imports approximately 400,000 cartons
of Californian table grapes a year and, following the find, the Ministry
of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) threatened to close the trade if
it found the import health standards were not being followed.
The report stated that Government biosecurity agencies
would meet early in the next week to discus options and determine the
best course of action.
Ideas
for classroom use
This report highlights the issue of biosecurity and its
importance to a country such as New Zealand. Biosecurity is the protection
of New Zealand's economy, environment, people's health, flora, and fauna
and Ma•ori Taonga from the risks posed by pests and diseases. It includes
trying to prevent new pests and diseases arriving and eradicating and
controlling those already present. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
has its own Biosecurity Authority. The Government is in the process
of developing a new biosecurity strategy and a national Protect New
Zealand campaign to encourage people to be more vigilant was launched
during 2001.
Writing in the September 2001 issue of their Biosecurity
Newsletter, Barry O'Neil, the group director of the Biosecurity Authority
stated:
| Thousands of livelihoods could be wiped out overnight by just
one person who didn't think about what they brought home in their
luggage, or failed to report something strange here in New Zealand.We
need every New Zealander to understand the threats and if they discover
any strange pests or organisms here at home to report these early
to ensure our shores remain protected. |
In areas of the country where fishing farming or horticulture
are major commercial activities, or where there are specific environmental
or health issues, Biosecurity would be a very relevant and topical context
for exploration in technology education programmes.
The November issue of Biosecurity warned that it was also
our way of living which could be under threat.
|
If some species of aggressive ants establish themselves here,
for example, it could be next to impossible to have barbecues
outside...
Hon Jim Sutton, Minister of Biosecurity
|
Awareness surveys have shown that the New Zealand public
generally have a very poor understanding of biosecurity, why it is important
and what responsibility individuals need to take for keeping pests and
diseases out. The need to promote this awareness to a specific audience
could provide an opportunity for technological activity in schools.
Note
The Biosecurity newsletter comes out every six weeks and
is an excellent source of comprehensive and up to date information on
a wide range of issues relating to biosecurity. It is an excellent resource
for senior students. Copies can be downloaded from www.maf.govt.nz/Biosecurity/index.htm
Websites which provide additional information include:
www.protectnz.org.nz
www.biostrategy.govt.nz
