New Zealand Halts Imports of California Table Grapes

New Zealand--Imports of California table grapes were halted Tuesday after a poisonous black widow spider was discovered, raising to four the number found in shipments this year.

“There is real concern at the number of black widow spiders that have entered the country and the risk they pose from both an environmental and health perspective,” said Barry O’Neil of the Ministry of Agriculture.

New Zealand imports about 10 million bunches of California table grapes each year and the nation’s standards allow for no more than one live spider to be found per 1 million bunches of grapes.

Although the number of spiders found was within this range, the environmentalist Green party members urged the ban.

The latest black widow was found at a supermarket in Nelson, about 75 miles west of Wellington.

California exporters are required to fumigate the grapes before shipment to kill exotic pests.

The suspension will remain in effect while a review examines the likelihood of black widows becoming established in New Zealand and the resulting implications.

Forty-three containers carrying 66,608 boxes of California table grapes already on their way to New Zealand will be allowed into the country, but the Ministry of Agriculture said additional inspections will be conducted.

The black widow has distinctive markings on its back and its bite can be fatal to very young children, the elderly and the disabled.

Geographically isolated New Zealand, 1,000 miles east of Australia, has few poisonous spiders and no poisonous animals.