Ban on growing peas in Wairarapa area
- From 4pm 27 July 2016 to July 2018, green and sugar snap peas cannot be grown in the Wairarapa area up to Pahiatua.
- This ban applies to both home vegetable gardens and commercial cropping.
- If you think you have found a pea weevil, catch it and call us on 0800 80 99 66.
Background
If you see this pest, catch it and call us – 0800 80 99 66.
The pea weevil ( Bruchus pisorum ) is a small insect that can cause damage to growing peas. It is an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Pea weevils have been found in the Wairarapa area of the lower North Island. If we don't stop them from spreading to other parts of New Zealand, they could have a serious effect on our pea growing and processing industries.
MPI is working with local growers to rid the Wairarapa of the pest by placing a 2-year ban on growing green peas (including sugar snap and snow peas) in the area. Pea weevil larvae only feed on peas so if we remove their food source, they'll die out.
What's being done?
MPI has issued a Controlled Area Notice (CAN) that indicates where peas can't be grown (all Wairarapa including Pahiatua) and restricts the movement of pea seed and pea straw within, and in and out of the area.
- Download the Controlled Area Notice
- Read the media release about the CAN – 27 July 2016
- View a leaflet about the weevil and what you can do
Map of the Controlled Area
Type your address in the ‘Search for location’ box. The map will zoom in to your address.Use your mouse or the minus button on the map to zoom out until you can see the orange-shaded area.If your property is in the orange-shaded area, then you are in the controlled area and unable to grow peas.