MAF is calling for an independent review of its own importing standards in the wake of the PSA-v outbreak.

MAF director general Wayne McNee says the review is a sensible step to ensure our importation standards are as high as they can be.   

He says the kiwifruit industry will welcome the report as it had requested it.   

Mr McNee says MAF now knows PSA can be imported in pollen – which it was allowing to be brought into the country from Italy.

However, Labour agriculture spokesman Damien O’Connor says the news is an acknowledgment that New Zealand’s biosecurity is entirely substandard.

He says the country is sitting on a time-bomb by allowing in kiwifruit pollen, uncooked pork meat and palm kernel expeller and we risk destroying or primary industries.