Winter is the time when growers look to plant or replace shelter trees for their orchard.

Shelter trees need to come from a Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme (KPCS) or Plant Pass certified nursery to meet biosecurity requirements under the Pathway Plan.

As a rule, shelter plants can only be sourced from nurseries that meet the requirements of the KPCS. KVH recognises equivalence to meet these requirements through Plant Pass for nurseries that do not have kiwifruit crops.

By sourcing certified shelter plants this gives growers confidence that there is a minimum biosecurity standard for all plants entering their orchard production area. This means reduced likelihood of spreading new and existing pests and diseases, and a much greater chance of successful eradication if a new threat is discovered.

Plants displaying symptoms are not to be moved and both the nursery and recipient are to maintain traceability records should symptoms develop at a later stage and tracing be required.

• View KPCS nurseries supplying certified shelter plants here.

• View all Plant Pass certified nurseries here.

Please contact KVH if you would like more information about the requirements.