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 Craig Thompson

Craig Thompson

Zespri Representative

Joining the KVH Board as the Zespri Representative in December 2019, Craig brings with him nearly 30 years involvement in the global kiwifruit industry.

Craig is motivated by delivering top results for all stakeholders with strengths in people management and as an orchardist in kiwifruit and post-harvest skills.

Living and working in the Eastern Bay of Plenty he was Managing Director of post-harvest facility Opotiki Packing and Coolstorage (OPAC), and is also Director of DCD Orchards, Kaiaponi Farms, and Thompson’s Horticulture.

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LATEST NEWS

23 Sep 2024

Most unwanted time of the year

Exotic fruit flies and the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) are considered two of the biggest biosecurity threats to the kiwifruit industry and from now they are both in their highest-risk period for entry into New Zealand. A quick reminder of the damage these unwanted pests can do and what to look out for: Fruit flies: High likelihood of entry – have crossed our borders many times. Production impacts for a range of horticultural crops but considered low for kiwifruit. Severe market access restrictions, particularly for Queensland Fruit Fly which is not present in most major kiwifruit markets. Highly effective surveillance system with around 8000 traps nationwide. BMSB: Pierces kiwifruit resulting in fruit drop and rot. Fruit loss is typically 5-10% but up to 30% on worst blocks. Extremely difficult to eradicate – early detection is essential. Major nuisance pest overwintering inside homes in huge numbers. High likelihood of entry as a hitchhiker on shipping containers, cars, machinery, and luggage. National surveillance system and kiwifruit industry surveillance system, but this pest is not as strongly attracted to traps, so we also rely on public reporting. Please keep an eye out for this pest especially! For more information on these and other biosecurity threats to the kiwifruit industry, see our Kiwifruit’s Most Unwanted list on the KVH website and contact us on 0800 665 825 if you would like posters or leaflets about these pests sent out to you.

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25 Sep 2024

Save the date: industry response support during emergencies

A reminder to RSVP and join our upcoming industry event showcasing the planning, capability building, and training underway as the industry builds its new Emergency Response Management (ERM) framework. With KVH at the helm, operational capability across the industry is being identified and trained, aimed at ensuring there is expertise ready to jump in, in the event of a significant adverse event that affects vine health on-orchard. Taking place Wednesday 30 October at Club Mount, Mount Maunganui, all are welcome to join our interactive scenario, learning more about how we would all work together to respond to a fictional summer extreme weather event that will take place in Northland. You’ll learn about the response framework and see how the response team works together in their different functions, with the opportunity to provide input into activities. All your questions about who does what, how, when, and why, will all be answered. When: 9.00am - 3.00pm, Wednesday 30 October Where: Club Mount, 45 Kawaka Street, Mount Maunganui RSVP: Online here If you have any questions, please get in touch.

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23 Sep 2024

Why do we have the Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme?

The kiwifruit industry has introduced biosecurity controls to reduce the risk of pests and diseases being spread through the movement of nursery plants and shelter plants. The Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme (KPCS) is a major component of this and ensures all nurseries selling kiwifruit plants and shelter plants are managing biosecurity risk. The movement of plant material is considered a high-risk pathway for transporting pests and pathogens over long distances. This includes known threats such as Cherry Leaf Roll Virus and Psa, but also other threats that may be present in New Zealand but not yet detected, such as Ceratocystis fimbriata. Without biosecurity controls on internal pathways, a new pest or pathogen is likely to be widespread by the time it is detected and the window for eradication may have been missed. Because of this, all nurseries and growers must meet their biosecurity responsibilities and maintain traceability. What you need to know Growers can grow plants on the property they are to be used on without any KVH controls.Growers can also move plants between KPINs under the same ownership (but only to a maximum of 1000 plants per year). Traceability records must be maintained but there are no registration or certification requirements.If more than 1000 plants per year are moved between a grower’s properties or plants are moved to another grower, then the grower must become a KPCS nursery. Growers purchasing plants must source them from KPCS certified nurseries, you can find a full list of certified nurseries here. Avoid complacency Know your responsibilities. Plan Rule 6: safe movement of nursery plants and shelter belt plants is within the industry Pathway Management Plan to protect individual growers and the industry from unnecessary risk. A breach of this rule is an offence under the Biosecurity Act 1993, and the penalty for this is: (a) in the case of an individual person, a fine not exceeding $5,000;(b) in the case of a corporation, a fine not exceeding $15,000.

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The KVH portal is now the Zespri Weather & Disease Portal. Access all the weather tools you're familiar with.

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