NZKGI Welcome Minister’s Approval of National Pest Mgnt Plan

NZKGI Welcomes Minister’s Approval of National Pest Management Plan

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI) welcomes the decision by the Minister for Primary Industries (MPI), Nathan Guy, to approve the National Psa-V Pest Management Plan (NPMP).

NZKGI’s President, Neil Trebilco, said the NPMP is a vital tool for the industry to help reduce the impacts of Psa and manage orchards in a Psa environment.

“As an industry, we have had to accept that Psa is here to stay. As a result, we have had to change the way we manage our orchards and for most growers, this has meant extra work on the orchard and extra financial challenges.

“The NPMP is a key component to the on-going survival of kiwifruit orchards and the kiwifruit industry.

“We need to work together to keep inoculum levels low. An important part of achieving this is to effectively manage abandoned and unmanaged orchards. These are a real concern for some growers, causing unnecessary risks to successfully producing orchards.

Until now, the success of managing Psa, and keeping inoculum levels low, has relied on growers and the industry voluntarily applying best practice activities, with varied degrees of success.

“Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) can now deliver a very high standard of Psa control and management.

“It also means as an industry, we can continue to upgrade our focus on other biosecurity risks facing the kiwifruit industry,” said Mr Trebilco.

ENDS

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