A July 2017 target has been set for completion of the Operational Agreement, under GIA, to prepare for and respond to a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMB) incursion.

KVH is part of the group that has been set up to lead the development of the agreement, alongside MPI and other horticulture industry sector groups.

This agreement follows on from another one signed by KVH in mid-March to help reduce the damaging impacts of the four most common biosecurity threats to the kiwifruit and kiwiberry sectors: Ceratocystis fimbriata, Verticillium wilt, Psa-non New Zealand strains and Invasive Phytophthoras.

The first agreement of its kind was the multi-sector agreement for the management of fruit fly in New Zealand which KVH signed in May 2014.

What is the GIA? It’s a partnership between government and industry for improving New Zealand’s biosecurity. Industry organisations (such as KVH on behalf of kiwifruit) and the Ministry for Primary Industries, sign a Deed that formally establishes a biosecurity partnership. Deed Signatories negotiate and agree the priority pests and diseases of most concern to them and agree actions to minimise the risk and impact of an incursion, prepare for and manage a response if an incursion occurs, and cost sharing.