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NZ: Flowers could be in short supply coming months

New Zealand could face a flowers shortage in coming months as imported seeds get caught up in new rules and costs of testing mount. Also Vegetables can be in short supply because of the Government's crackdown on seed imports.

Carrots, lettuces, tomatoes, parsnips, and leek seeds could all be held up on the wharf awaiting testing for potential contamination.

In some cases overseas seed growers might not even bother to send seeds because the testing regime might be too costly.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has introduced regulations to make it more difficult to import seed after the invasive weed velvetleaf was discovered in fodder beet imports. It is now growing on farms throughout the country.

Mark Johnson, chairman of the vegetable seed section of the New Zealand Grain and Seed Trade Association (NZGSTA), said the country was highly dependent on the import of overseas genetics for vegetables.

Read more at Stuff.co.nz