More than 30 nurseries were represented alongside KVH earlier this week at a forum to strengthen communication and partnership with nurseries who are part of the Kiwifruit Plant Certification Scheme (KPCS).

There were several informative presentations during the event, as well as discussions and feedback opportunities.

Growers should have confidence that kiwifruit nurseries are effectively and efficiently managing the biosecurity risks associated with kiwifruit rootstock movement through their compliance with the KPCS. Other industries also have similar schemes in place, with their growers recognising the value of certified plants.

Sourcing and tracing clean plant material – the fundamentals of the KPCS – are also one of the steps in the new Kiwifruit Growers Biosecurity Guidelines. Growers can reduce risk associated with plant material by following movement controls, inspecting all material when it arrives on the orchard, and keeping records that are up-to-date. A template and check sheet are included in the guidelines booklet (Step 3).