Grape Vine Pest One Step Closer to New Zealand

For immediate release 4 April 2007

Grape Vine Pest One Step Closer to New Zealand

New Zealand Winegrowers has described the discovery of the Glassywinged Sharpshooter in the Cook Islands as a “serious threat” to New Zealand’s grape growing and wine making industry.

The confirmation on Monday of the Sharpshooter in the Cook Islands means this is the closest the vineyard pest is known to have been to New Zealand. Its only previously known location in the South Pacific was Tahiti.

The Sharpshooter is an insect that lives on grape vines and other plants and is a vector for Pierce’s disease, a disease that kills grape vines. Both the Sharpshooter and Pierce’s disease must be present for vines to be affected and there is no evidence yet of either in New Zealand.

New Zealand Winegrowers CEO Philip Gregan said concerns by New Zealand Winegrowers about the potential threat posed by the Sharpshooter have been longstanding following the damage the insect and disease combination caused to the California wine industry in the 1990s.

“Confirmation the Sharpshooter is in the Cook Islands means the potential threat posed by the insect has now lifted to a new level, given New Zealand’s close trade, tourism and cultural ties with the Cook Islands. The key issue now is to ensure the insect does not take the next step to New Zealand.

“We have been in close contact with the government following Monday’s confirmation and are pleased with the urgency of the response from Biosecurity New Zealand, MAF and Biosecurity Minister Jim Anderton.

“The government is clearly aware of the potential threat posed by this high impact pest to our industry, and to the wider horticultural sector, and are taking the appropriate steps to ensure New Zealand remains free of the insect.

“We will continue to work with the government in the interests of the New Zealand wine industry to put all possible measures in place to ensure the Sharpshooter does not find its way to New Zealand.”

Anyone who suspects they have found a Glassywinged Sharpshooter should call the MAF Emergency Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

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