Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) manages biosecurity risk on behalf of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry. For many years now we have successfully prevented the bacteria Psa entering the South Island, by all working together to ensure the rules in place around moving risk items are known and understood.

There are strict requirements supported by the Biosecurity Act, that prohibit kiwifruit plants, budwood or pollen being moved from any North Island location to the South Island. There are also rules for the movement of machinery.

Second-hand tractors or sprayers often have kiwifruit leaves lodged behind fans, radiators, in wheel arches or in difficult to access areas such as behind a battery box. Any damp, fresh leaves could easily carry Psa to a South Island kiwifruit orchard and Psa can travel for up to 10kms on a windy day.

KVH would like to remind all growers, particularly those in the South Island, of the following:

· If possible, source machinery and tools from a South Island location.

· If this is not possible, any second-hand machinery, tools or orchard equipment can only move from a North Island kiwifruit orchard to the South Island kiwifruit growing region, with permission from KVH.

· The machinery will be inspected by KVH before permission is provided. Everything must be pristinely clean, washed and sanitised with a product such as Virkon. Often tractors must be partially disassembled to ensure all leaf material is removed.

· The machinery will be reinspected on arrival and likely re-sanitised.

Best practice for new equipment is for it to move from the overseas manufacturer directly to the South Island, and not via a North Island location such as Te Puke.

KVH asks all growers to be mindful of these biosecurity requirements and speak with us if there are any questions or concerns.

If you think you may need permission for the movement of machinery, tools or equipment please contact KVH on 0800 665 825 or info@kvh.org.nz.