Biosecurity has opened a third one-month consultation round on a new national plan for dealing with kauri dieback.

The consultation will also look at options for the best type of agency to protect kauri from the disease, which is caused by an organism that can be spread on the boots and equipment of people visiting kauri forests and also by the movement of animals like pigs.

There is no known cure once a tree is infected.

The current approach has mostly relied on voluntary compliance, but the agency is looking at national pest management plan.

Agency head Roger Smith says it’s proposed that the plan be supported by new regulations backed by fines that will require people to do things such as use approved cleaning stations at tracks, and ensure soil is removed and equipment sanitised when leaving or entering forests.

A series of meetings and hui at local venues and marae are planned from early March, and the consultation will close on March 18.

Details on round three can be found at www.kauridieback.co.nz.

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