Making sure the kiwifruit industry has a say

KVH has an active advocacy role for the kiwifruit industry, working with regulators to influence biosecurity legislation, policies and standards that may impact on the industry; and to influence individual decisions on specific issues.

Submissions currently underway by KVH include:

· A submission on the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) proposed changes to cost recovery for some services. KVH’s submission details our support of MPI investing to improve effectiveness of the biosecurity system and reinforces our view that the system needs investment in pre-border activities as well as front line initiatives.

· A submission to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Long Term Plan to increase resourcing for biosecurity programmes and continue the partnership between the council, KVH, and landowners to destroy wild kiwifruit.

· A submission to Auckland Council supporting the category and approach for wild kiwifruit management within their proposed Regional Pest Management Plan.

· A submission to Marlborough District Council requesting wild kiwifruit be named an Exclusion Pest within their proposed Regional Pest Management Plan and included in the group of plants for which regular surveillance is undertaken.

These last three submissions also included requests that councils continue to assist MPI and the kiwifruit industry in any future response for pests such as Queensland Fruit Fly or Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, should they be detected within their regions.