Plant Pass Autumn 2023 Newsletter
Congratulations to all our newly certified and registered nurseries. We are delighted to announce that we now have 17 certified nurseries with a further 57 registered. For a full list of our plant producer biosecurity exemplars, click here.
We have some more free Plant Pass workshops coming up, including technical workshops for people who have attended the introductory workshop and want more in-depth knowledge.
Below we profile two of our newly certified nurseries Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Nursery and Easy Big Trees to explore their experience of certification, any challenges they experienced and the changes they made.
Thank you to the nurseries that contributed to our Plant Pass Integrity Audit survey. We appreciate your time and feedback provided around Plant Pass and your audit experience. This information will help us future proof the scheme and to deliver continuous improvement. If you would still like to contribute, please email office@plantpass.org.nz
Below we give some information on our two most common plant pathogens and our latest Plant Pass module.
If you haven't already checked out the Plant Pass website, do so now and if you're a plant producer, register your interest in Plant Pass.
Ngā mihi nui
The Plant Pass team
Register now for Plant Pass workshops
We have a series of Plant Pass introductory workshops and technical workshops coming up so reserve your place now.
The introductory workshops the why, how, and what of Plant Pass and how to create a robust biosecurity risk management system.
Introductory workshop details:
- Hamilton - Thursday 13 April, Jet Park Hamilton Airport
- Christchurch: Tuesday 18 April, Novotel Christchurch Airport
- Silverdale - Wednesday 10 May, Northridge Country Lodge
- Palmerston North - Thursday 6 July venue tbc
- Dunedin - Wed 9 Aug venue tbc
We also have a series of technical workshops, which will cover crop monitoring, hygiene and traceability. The workshops are recommended for those who have attended the introductory workshop but want to upskill further or receive more guidance for certification.
Technical workshop details:
- Auckland - Wed 20th September venue tbc
- Hamilton - Thurs 12th October venue tbc
- Christchurch - Thurs Nov 9 venue tbc
Book online https://www.plantpass.org.nz/workshops
Easy Big Trees
Easy Big Trees became certified in February, considering they only registered 6 months ago this is a commendable journey. Below Warren Haggerty (Production & Nursery Care) talks about the nursery's experience of Plant Pass.
Easy Big Trees is a 4th generation family business. For over 100 years they’ve been planting, nursing and growing trees and shrubs in New Zealand. That’s more than a few hot summers and harsh winters, and today their nursery extends over 30 acres of Southland soil, where they have over 100,000 plants ready to be delivered to any corner of New Zealand.
They might have been in the industry for a long time but as Warren Haggerty explains; “We’re always wary of not being able ‘to see the woods for the trees’. We know a fresh set of eyes is a good thing and for us, Plant Pass was that fresh set of eyes.”
“It gave us the opportunity to really focus on making sure our systems and processes support the level of biosecurity and quality standards we need in the industry. We have plans to be around for another 100 years and for that to happen, we need a healthy industry overall” says Warren.
Easy Big Trees found the Plant Pass Nursery Manual Template especially helpful. “The website is a great source of information. The core, entry and hazard management checklists are useful, and the Nursery Manual Template was especially so. We used that a lot”.
As a result of the Plant Pass process, Easy Big Trees have made some changes, mostly around documentation. “It was heartening to learn that most of what’s needed was already in place, as we’ve always strived for quality and because we love what we do. It does seem we didn’t love documenting our efforts quite as well though. So, we’ve made some changes and I think it’s added another level of safety for our stock. It’s certainly helped us systematise our procedures.”
Easy Big Trees completed the Plant Pass process in just over 6 months. We should note that this is a quick timeframe and highlights how a systematic approach can provide best practice reassurance with certification.
“It’s comprehensive and not easy, so it’ll test your operation and that’s what’s needed" says Warren. "Also, we found our staff were heartened by the desire to do the right thing. We all love nature and what we do. We want to protect it and Plant Pass is a great way to do just that”.
For more information on Easy Big Trees, you can visit their website at www.easybigtrees.co.nz
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Nursery
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is a mainland ecological island in Pukeatua. Surrounded by one of the world’s longest pest-proof fences, its ancient forest offers a sanctuary for populations of many of our most endangered species such as birds, skinks, geckos, frogs, bats, and insects.
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Nursery (SMM) is run by a volunteer group who work with a vision to share the mauri and mana of the maunga. This is achieved through:
- Raising awareness of biosecurity best practice with staff, volunteers and the public
- Collection of plant material to grow plants
- Raising eco-sourced plants at the nursery
- Planting around the maunga to help vulnerable trees, birds, insects and fish flourish
- Sale of surplus plants to the community.
Below is a Q and A with Warwick Prewer, SMM Ranger and Reporting Analyst, on the group's Plant Pass certification journey.
Why did you decide to join Plant Pass?
The nursery was highlighted as a potential source of pathogens in an audit of SMM biosecurity plans. Many of the recommendations of this audit were in line with the requirements of Plant Pass. We also wanted to improve our quality assurance system to prove that we are operating according to best practice.
Did you implement any new processes under Plant Pass ?
Our nursery is largely run by volunteers who do a fantastic job. We employed a staff member one day a week for almost a year to get the nursery up to standard. This was mostly setting up systems that documented the work of the team and enhanced the recording already being done in our nursery journal. We set up a new plant traceability process to track where plants come from and where they end up.
Have you identified any new biosecurity hazards or new risk areas as a result of the certification process?
Not really. The certification process made us more aware of the importance of hazards already know to us and motivated us to put into action more measures to manage the hazards e.g. purchasing and use a boot wash mat.
What feedback have you received from your staff about the scheme and its processes?
The protocols available from Plant Pass gave us confidence in the scheme and implementing the processes.
Do you think implementing the scheme’s practices and guidelines will improve your nursery’s productivity?
It has improved our productivity when it comes to cleaning pots. We visited another nursery and gained ideas from them on pot cleaning. Developing the nursery manual helped the wider team understand processes and how the nursery should work.
Do you think the scheme with add value for you as a producer?
Yes, as it motivated us to document what we do, ensuring the good practices that were in someone's head can be passed on to new team members.
Do you think the scheme will reduce your biosecurity and business risks?
Yes as we are now more committed to maintaining high standards to reduce biosecurity and business risks.
Do you have any advice for other nurseries thinking about registering or planning for certification?
It's a thorough process that helps improve the biosecurity of your nursery. Do an internal audit first using the Plant Pass resources and then work at resolving the major issues. Involve your team to make it feasible and practical. We had a lot of help from the Plant Pass team and the resource are great.
For more information on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari visit their website at https://www.sanctuarymountain.co.nz/home.
Pathogen Reminders
Myrtle Rust
Even though we are heading into cooler weather, it is still important to stay vigilant and continue monitoring susceptible Myrtaceae species for myrtle rust, especially in the Northland and Auckland regions. Myrtle rust is still around and active with the autumn moisture and flush of new plant growth. See the above seasonality graph from iNaturalistNZ.
Plant Pass has a Myrtle Rust Specific Module in addition to the core standard and checklist, specifically for managing myrtle rust in nurseries.
Think you’ve found myrtle rust?
It is recommended to record any myrtle rust observations on iNaturalistNZ. Data on this site contributes to spread and species monitoring, annual seasonality trends and more. Over 450 myrtle rust observations have been logged in Aotearoa since the new year. Many nurseries have been impacted this season, some for the first time.
- Report your observation at www.inaturalist.nz
- Take a clear photo of any symptoms as well as the whole plant in-situ.
- Other users and researchers will confirm your observation.
- Act quickly to remove and dispose of infected material.
- You do not need to contact MPI unless myrtle rust has been found in a new area or on a Myrtaceae species it hasn’t been seen on previously.
If you’d like further resources or assistance for managing myrtle rust, contact NZPPI Extension Officer Jacinta Harrop at jacinta@nzppi.co.nz
Phytophthora
Kauri Dieback (Phytophthora agathidicida) is usually at the forefront of the mind when considering Phytophthora however, it is not the only one that poses a threat to nurseries and the wider environment.
Phytophthora is a genus of plant-damaging water mould (oomycete) pathogens, whose member species can cause enormous environmental damage in natural ecosystems as well as economic losses on crops. Some 170 species have been described, though it is considered many more are undiscovered.
Phytophthora species have been isolated as the causal agents for root and stem rot diseases in a broad range of arable and horticultural crops, and forest, amenity and ornamental plants.
Phytophthora pathogens are common in many nurseries and nursery conditions provide an ideal environment for the development of the pathogen. Phytophthora can stunt or kill plants in the nursery, although infected plants may remain not show symptoms for a long time after infection. Infected plants (symptomatic or not) spread Phytophthora to natural ecosystems, gardens and urban landscapes, forests and to food producers…
See the Phytophthora Specific Module on the Plant Pass website for more information. This is a supporting document of general Phytophthora management in the nursery.
Kaurilands Summit 2023 – See you there
Plant Pass will be attending the annual Kaurilands Summit in Whangarei on May 11 and 12.
The summit is the opportunity to hear the latest news in the kauri ora and myrtle ora spaces. Research talks will present the latest findings within science and mātauranga Māori, keynote speakers will talk about the big picture and operational updates will inform of the latest progress on the ground.
For more information on the four-day summit and to register visit:
https://bioheritage.nz/get-involved/kaurilands-summit-2023/
Solanaceous Greenhouse Crops module
Work on the Plant Pass Solanaceous Greenhouse Crops module is underway, and a draft is expected by the end of April 2023 for consultation with industry partners and stakeholders.
There are additional steps which can be taken by producers of young tomato, capsicum and eggplants to reduce the likelihood they will harbour viruses and viroids and be distributed into greenhouse crop production.
Specific guidance will be provided in the new module which can be incorporated into nursery best practice, alongside the core Plant Pass standard.