Plant Pass Spring 2024 Newsletter

Plant Pass Annual Report 2024 now available

We are pleased to announce the release of the Plant Pass Annual Report 2024, which covers the period from July 1 2023 to June 30, 2024.

This comprehensive report reflects the achievements and milestones of the past year, highlighting the resilience and dedication of our producers, partners, and the entire Plant Pass community.

Key accomplishments from this year include:

• Growth in certification: an increase in certified producers, with 22 nurseries now achieving certification
• New Governance Group members: Summerfruit New Zealand and New Zealand Apples and Pears
• Brand unification: the transition from the Plant Pass Buyers’ Accord to the Plant Pass Partners model
• Engagement highlights: eight national workshops, expanded online engagement, and participation in industry events.

As we reflect on the past year, we celebrate the strength of our producers and the shared commitment to safeguarding New Zealand’s plant health. We look forward to continuing this work in the year ahead. The full report is available for download on the publications page of our website and we will be taking hard copies to workshops and events. Thank you for your ongoing support in promoting biosecurity excellence.

The Plant Pass Team

Biosecurity Act review: positive implications for Plant Pass

The current review of the Biosecurity Act highlights the importance of strong biosecurity practices and our sector is already ahead of the curve thanks to Plant Pass.

Section 6 of the Readiness and Response discussion document, Biosecurity Practices, underscores how essential it is for individuals, businesses, and communities to work together to manage biosecurity risks. Practices like sourcing from reputable suppliers, maintaining clean risk items, and ensuring staff are trained in biosecurity awareness are key measures already embedded in the Plant Pass framework.

While other sectors may still be building their biosecurity frameworks, Plant Pass certified nurseries are already tackling risks head-on.

As the Biosecurity Act review progresses, it’s clear that the plant production sector is in a strong position. By increasing engagement with Plant Pass, we can continue to lead the way in biosecurity preparedness and sustainability, keeping our environment safe and our industry thriving.

Upcoming Plant Pass workshops

The Plant Pass team is hosting several more workshops and webinars this year.

Nursery-based Workshops: • October 10: Rural Design, Mangawhai. • November 21: Southern Woods, Christchurch.

These workshops will involve tours of these Plant Pass certified nurseries, so don't miss out on the opportunity to both upskill on biosecurity and see behind the scenes. Both nurseries are also showcased in our 2024 annual report.

Webinar: 29 October: Online Q&A sessions with the Plant Pass technical advisor Jacinta Harrop.

For more details and to register, visit the Plant Pass Events page.

Plant Pass team at stakeholder events

The Plant Pass team recently attended two significant biosecurity events.

The Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital (TMBC) Biosecurity Excellence Symposium was held in August. This interactive event focused on collaboration across the biosecurity network, bringing together key stakeholders to co-create solutions for safeguarding New Zealand’s natural resources from pests and diseases.

Last month the team also attended the Citrus New Zealand conference in Gisborne where biosecurity was a main topic. Citrus New Zealand is a Plant Pass Governance Group Member and GIA Operational Agreement signatory.

Both events were invaluable for building connections and raising awareness about Plant Pass and its role in enhancing plant production biosecurity.

Free new nursery pest and disease booklet

The Plant Pass team is delighted to announce the publication of a brand new booklet that highlights significant pests and pathogens relevant to New Zealand plant producers and nurseries.

The booklet helps growers identify a pest or pathogen and gives information on what to do if you do suspect a biosecurity threat in your nursery. A poster based on the booklet is under development.

The eight-page booklet can be downloaded from the Plant Pass website or, If you would like free hard copies delivered to your nursery, just email office@plantpass.org.nz with the requested number of copies and your postal address.

Stay ahead of plant diseases with NZPPI weekly updates

NZPPI has begun emailing out free weekly NZPPI Disease Management updates to support producers in managing plant disease risk. The weekly updates are part of the online NZPPI Plant Disease Management Platform and come directly from HortPlus.

The emails include:

• Accurate forecast information, based on a nursery’s nearest weather station
• A seven-day disease risk forecast for myrtle rust, black spot and downy mildew.

If you would like to receive the updates please contact Jacinta Harrop, NZPPI’s Extension Coordinator and the Plant Pass Technical Advisor at Jacinta@nzppi.co.nz.

Plant Pass certified nursery in tōtara herbicide trial

In response to concerns over reports of tōtara seedlings dying after the application of the herbicide haloxyfop, a trial has been initiated at Plant Pass certified Kauri Park Nursery in Northland.

Haloxyfop is a widely used as a releasing herbicide for controlling grass weeds, and its potential impact on tōtara seedlings has raised concerns in the native forest planting sector.

Tāne’s Tree Trust, in collaboration with Kauri Park, launched a trial last November to determine whether certain rates of haloxyfop or additives might be harmful to tōtara. The trial involves various treatment levels applied to potted tōtara seedlings, with preliminary results indicating that only one treatment, which combined haloxyfop with terbuthylazine, showed noticeable damage to the seedlings.

This trial is a significant step in ensuring the safe use of herbicides in native plant restoration and forest maintenance.

Free online biosecurity courses

Plant Pass Partner SPS Biota has free to access online learning courses to help promote understanding and action around biosecurity.

Three courses are available:

• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Awareness: Learn about Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) and its potential impact on New Zealand. BMSB is not present in New Zealand and this course will teach you what to do if you suspect you have found one.
• Foundation Forest Biosecurity: Get an overview of the forest and plant biosecurity system including why biosecurity is important for all New Zealanders. This course will teach you how you can help protect the forests we work and play in, through good biosecurity.
• Spongy Moth: Learn about the spongy moth, its potential impacts, how to identify it and what to do if you think you’ve found one.

Visit the the SPS Biota e-learning platform to register.

TomatoesNZ working with MPI on tomato import restrictions

TomatoesNZ and MPI have worked together to maintain the embargo on importing Australian tomatoes due to the threat of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).

With the import window closed until next winter, MPI will collaborate with their Australian counterparts to gather more information on the source and spread of ToBRFV and evaluate whether the market can reopen next season.

TomatoesNZ has prepared a Q&A guide on the biggest virus threats, including Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV), which is already present in New Zealand, and ToBRFV, which has not yet arrived but is a serious concern.

EPA issues red alert over weedkiller banned in US

Environmental Protection Authority has issued a red alert to urge people to stop using products that contain chlorthal-dimethyl. This is because they have significant concerns about its effects on unborn children, after the US EPA banned the substance under emergency order.

Chlorthal-dimethyl (also known as DCPA or chlorthal-methyl) is a herbicide used to control annual grasses and broadleaf weeds in a variety of agricultural crops and plant nurseries.

In New Zealand, it’s used particularly on weeds in forestry nurseries, and among ornamental plants. There are rules about how to safely use the substance. The three products containing chlorthal-dimethyl that are registered for use in New Zealand are:

• Dacthal
• Deramot Xtra
• Chlor-Back 75WG

Please see this important message.

EPA seeks stakeholder input on oxadiazon reassessment

The EPA is reviewing the use of oxadiazon, a common weed control chemical, and is seeking input from key stakeholders.

Oxadiazon is used to control grass and broad-leaved weeds. It is commonly applied to crops such as onions, pipfruit, stonefruit, berries, and grapes. In can also be applied in nurseries and home gardens. The EPA is determining whether its use in New Zealand requires reassessment.

The EPA wants stakeholders, including growers, nurseries, iwi and councils, to provide information on the chemical's use, benefits, and risks. The consultation is open until 19 November 2024.

Visit the EPA website for more information.