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On-orchard biosecurity plans

On-orchard biosecurity plans

You need to have an on-orchard biosecurity plan that details how you manage risk on your property. Complete one on paper, or online, using our range of resources. 

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On-orchard biosecurity plans

Implementing on-orchard biosecurity is the responsibility of every person working on or visiting an orchard.

With several high-profile pest and disease introductions into New Zealand, including Psa, kiwifruit growers and orchard workers need to be biosecurity aware to protect themselves and surrounding orchards.

Kiwifruit growers can strengthen their biosecurity plans by using the KVH-produced poster and helpful template booklet.

The 5-step booklet is a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests and diseases and have been developed to provide guidance, help identify risks, and how to address them.



What is a biosecurity plan?

It's a document that outlines how you manage your orchard and how you will respond to a pest or disease outbreak. It describes your processes on-orchard and how you are addressing biosecurity risks. It can be as short, or long, as you need.

The 5-step booklet is designed to be used as a template, with tips and suggestions for customising a biosecurity plan that works for your operation and that can be built on over time. Make sure that as you personalise your own plan, you involve all orchard staff and contractors so that everyone becomes engaged with the common goal of keeping your orchard and fruit safe.

Having a biosecurity plan in a biosecurity response or an emergency is critical. Early detection and reporting give us the opportunity to suppress any kind of serious disease.

Why have a biosecurity plan?

As a grower or person in charge of an orchard, you need to have a plan that covers the steps you take when moving machinery, tools and plant material on and off your property, how you trace and record all these things, how you manage the risks that might already be present, and the steps you should take if you see anything unusual.

By having a plan written down you can get everybody who's involved in your business on the same page. Investing a little time in establishing good biosecurity practices on your orchard promises a hundredfold reward, not only through the smooth operation of day-to-day business but the avoidance of financial problems, movement restrictions, and possible market access issues in the future from unchecked disease or pest populations.

How do I complete a biosecurity plan?

KVH has designed a biosecurity plan template that you can complete either on paper or online, depending on your preference. Both versions require:

  • the name of the person completing the plan;
  • the KPIN or KPINs the plan is being completed for;
  • a dated declaration from the person completing the plan that the information provided is true and correct in regard to actions taken to manage biosecurity risk.

To help you personalise your plan we have a sample available here that offers ideas and guidance.

You need to keep your plan on file so that you can show it to auditors and provide it to KVH if requested in a biosecurity response. If you choose to complete your plan online a PDF copy will be available for your electronic files.

SEEN SOMETHING UNUSUAL?

KVH investigates reports of unusual symptoms to identify and manage any biosecurity risks.

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