The introduction of the new Pathway Management Plan helps the kiwifruit industry to prevent the spread of pests and diseases before we know they are here. This will give us the best possible chance of eradication and will minimise impacts to our industry.

Our approach to risk management focuses on several key pathways. If we manage risk across these, we’ll be a long way towards protecting our investments from future biosecurity risk.

Post-harvest is one of these pathways, and it is important to understand what the requirements are under the new Plan, implemented from 1 April 2022.

Post-harvest operators are associated with the movement of equipment, personnel/contractors, and plant material between orchards and in some cases between regions. Such movements may introduce pests or diseases into orchards. Processors are also associated with movements of risk goods, in particular the transport and handling of reject fruit.

To help reduce the risk of biosecurity threats on these pathways, kiwifruit post-harvest facilities and processors are required to complete a biosecurity plan that identifies the risk pathways that might be encountered throughout this process, and the measures that are taken to manage these risks. These include:

• hygiene practices for machinery, tools, bins, equipment, and personnel,
• traceability systems for the movement of fruit, and
• a description of the risks to be managed in relation to kiwifruit industry pathways.

The most important thing when completing your biosecurity plan is that it is tailored to appropriately manage any risk that may be encountered and is well understood by all parties involved so that it is consistently operated to.

What does this mean for you?

• If you are a post-harvest facility you need to operate in accordance with a “Post-Harvest Biosecurity Plan”. We have created a template for you to complete which you can access here.
• If you are a processor of kiwifruit products, you need to operate in accordance with a “Processor Biosecurity Plan”. We have created a template for you to complete which you can access here.

If you have any questions about the introduction of the kiwifruit industry’s new Pathway Management Plan please get in touch.