A Tauranga man has been sentenced in Auckland District Court today for trying to import exotic plants "by stealth", MPI says.
The man was fined for unauthorised imports. Photo: 123rf / Stock Image
Scott David Peters was fined $5250 after plants from India, Thailand and the United Kingdom were intercepted at the border by the Ministry of Primary Industries.
The prosecution followed multiple attempts by Peters to import plants despite educational advice given after his first attempt, MPI said.
"When we find evidence of a deliberate attempt to break rules that are in place to protect New Zealand at the border - we will prosecute," MPI regional manager of compliance investigations Simon Anderson said in a statement.
Anderson said MPI contacted Peters and provided advice to deter future offending but, after another interception, the department launched a full investigation and uncovered six attempts to import plant material.
"Mr Peters tried to get these plants into the country by stealth. Biosecurity rules are there for a reason – to protect New Zealand from potential diseases that could seriously threaten the health of New Zealand’s agricultural and horticultural industry,” Anderson said.
"An outbreak of an exotic fungal or viral disease could have a devastating effect on the economy, the environment and our communities.
"In New Zealand we are free from many pests and diseases common in other parts of the world. Anyone thinking of breaking the rules should know we will take action to keep it that way."