New Organism incidents

ERMA New Zealand defines an incident as an event involving a new organism or hazardous substance that may or may not involve non-compliance with regulatory requirements and/or cause adverse effects to human health and safety, or the environment.

Incidents can be identified by ERMA New Zealand through our monitoring of compliance or reported to us by enforcement agencies, identified through media monitoring or otherwise advised to us e.g. by a member of the public.

ERMA New Zealand registers incidents in order to monitor the effectiveness of the regulatory system and the appropriateness of controls.

Incidents 2004 - 2005

Incident Attempted importation of king oyster mushroom spawn (Pleurotus eryngii) at Christchurch airport in June 2004.
Date reported July 2004
Source of report MAF
Effects on environment and/or health and safety None identified
Incident management at the time MAF seized the mushroom spawn at the border and subsequently prosecuted the importer under section 109(1)(c) of the HSNO Act for knowingly importing a new organism. The importer entered a guilty plea and was convicted and fined $10,000.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand ERMA New Zealand received an application code (S2604021) from MAF for a statutory determination as to whether the mushroom species was a new organism. The Authority determined Pleurotus eryngii to be a new organism under the HSNO Act.No inquiry conducted.
Incident A Barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia) briefly escaped from its enclosure at Wellington Zoo, but remained within the zoo facility.
Date reported December 2004
Source of report Media
Effects on environment and / or health and safety None identified
Incident management at the time The Barbary sheep was quickly recaptured and returned to its enclosure.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand There is strong evidence to suggest that Ammotragus lervia is not a new organism. No statutory determination of new organism status was sought as part of MAF's response.No inquiry conducted.
Incident Potentially unapproved cycad seeds (Encephalartos vumba) from Mozambique for sale on the internet.
Date reported December 2004
Source of report ERMA New Zealand
Effects on environment and/or health and safety Effects currently not determined - MAF's investigation is continuing.
Incident management at the time MAF commenced an investigation.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand Awaiting the outcome of MAF's investigation - no inquiry commenced to date.
Incident Gudgeon fish (Gobio gobio) being bred at an Auckland (Kaipara) property.
Date reported February 2005
Source of report MAF
Effects on environment and/or health and safety The initial investigation concluded that the fish were likely to have been smuggled into New Zealand for breeding as bait for coarse fishing enthusiasts. If widespread populations exist, there are potentially serious impacts for small native freshwater species.
Incident management at the time MAF destroyed the Gudgeon fish and is conducting a survey to determine whether any further populations exist.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand Awaiting the outcome of MAF's investigation.The new organism status of Gobio gobio is unclear. MAF has classified the species as an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act and is responding to the incursion using powers under that legislation.No inquiry conducted.
Incident Two red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) escaped from their enclosure at Wellington zoo. One animal exited the zoo's outer boundary.
Date reported March 2005
Source of report MAF
Effects on environment and/or health and safety None identified
Incident management at the time Both pandas were recaptured on the day they escaped.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand No inquiry conducted
Incident Noncompliance with controls of an approval for genetically modified Arabidopsis plants (Arabidopsis thaliana), in a plant containment facility. The plants were flowering with no screening to prevent pollen or seed dispersal within the facility.
Date reported March 2005
Source of report MAF
Effects on environment and/or health and safety None identified
Incident management at the time The facility operator rectified the problems as soon as they were identified, in consultation with MAF. MAF concluded that the breach occurred inadvertently.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand An inquiry was conducted in accordance with ERMA New Zealand policy for incidents involving GMOs (INQ04006).
Incident A disabled capuchin monkey (Cebus apella) belonging to Mark Vette's Rescue Zoo was taken home to be cared for by a zoo staff member.
Date reported March 2005
Source of report Member of the public
Effects on environment and/or health and safety None identified
Incident management at the time The monkey was returned to the zoo when MAF became aware of the situation, and MAF addressed the noncompliance issues with the facility operator.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand No inquiry conducted
Incident Tadpole shrimps (Triops longicaudatus) imported by post as a gift from the United Kingdom. The shrimp eggs had been hatched and raised at a primary school.
Date reported March 2005
Source of report MAF
Effects on environment and/or health and safety None identified
Incident management at the time MAF seized the tadpole shrimps.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand The new organism status of Triops. longicaudatus is unclear.No inquiry conducted.
Incident Commercial facility found growing an edible mushroom species (Pleurotus eryngii), which is a new organism.
Date reported May 2005
Source of report Landcare Research
Effects on environment and/or health and safety MAF risk assessment to determine possible effects currently in progress.
Incident management at the time MAF destroyed all Pleurotus eryngii and associated growing material in the facility, and is considering options for treating composted growing media located outdoors.The original importation by this facility occurred about three years ago.
Followup action by ERMA New Zealand An inquiry was conducted in accordance with ERMA New Zealand policy (INQ04007).