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Strawberry Kits being recalled

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Federated Farmers has joined HortNZ and the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF) in an appeal to purchasers of “Buzzy” branded Strawberry Mini Grow Kits.

Imported from China the kits contained seeds that were mistakenly released for sale before being quarantined and tested for a range of plant viruses.

The kits consist of packages of strawberry seeds, a clay pot and compressed potting mix and sold through The Warehouse between September 1 and November 12 2011.

Federated Farmers Vice-President and Biosecurity spokesperson, Dr William Rolleston, said the release of these kits in New Zealand is a serious biosecurity breach. Unused kits should be returned for a refund, while any resulting seed or plant material should be securely disposed of.

“If anyone has used the kit, we’re asking them to pull any seeds or germinated plants from the garden with some of the surrounding soil. This should be placed it into a sealed plastic bag along with any container and potting mix from the kit. This should then be put into a second plastic bag, sealed and put out with your normal household rubbish.”

“Whatever people do, it’s vital they do not compost or try to use this material as green waste. The safest thing to reduce the risk of a biosecurity incursion is to bury it in landfill.

Dr Rolleston said it is essential MAF begins testing the kits for any diseases.

“Biosecurity underpins half of all export receipts New Zealand earns from trade and services. We genuinely need all Kiwis on the biosecurity First XV to keep it that way,” he said.