2897 (2026). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity

2897 (2026). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity: What information or analysis is available from the United Kingdom and European countries where the yellow-legged hornet has become established, regarding job losses or labour impacts in horticulture, apiculture, or arable industry, and how might those overseas experiences inform assessments of the potential impacts in New Zealand?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am advised that the relationship between hornets becoming established and job losses or labour impacts has not been well described in available literature. Two specialists from the National Bee Unit, Animal and Plant Health Agency, United Kingdom (UK) were recently in New Zealand to assist with the response operations and provide insights into the UK response and wider European Union yellow-legged hornets experience.